Ex-Rangers forward Josh Windass has spilled the beans on how a potential move to Santos went down the drain. The 31-year-old found himself in the spotlight for a surprising transfer to the Brazilian giants back in January this year. However, things took a different turn, and Windass ended up finishing the season at Sheffield Wednesday, who landed in 12th place in the Championship.
The Twist of Fate:
Windass spilled the tea during an interview with Open Goal, revealing, “I had a call from a number I didn’t recognize, a foreign number. I decided to give it a ring back and sent a text asking, ‘Who is this?’ Turns out, it was Pedro [Caixinha] on the other end, asking me to give him a call.” The plot thickened when Windass shared, “He was like, ‘Hey Big Josh, do you fancy playing for me again?’ My response? ‘Sure, if the money’s right.’ But alas, a bid was made to Sheffield Wednesday, only to be shut down immediately, leaving me high and dry.”
The Roadblock:
The move to Santos never really gained traction, as Windass explained, “They made an offer, but it was a hard no from Sheffield Wednesday. I had a chat with them, and they made it crystal clear, ‘You’re staying put until the end of the season, no negotiations.’ Talk about a plot twist!” To add salt to the wound, Santos went on to sign Neymar shortly after the failed attempt to secure Windass. The Englishman shrugged off any suggestions that Neymar was a backup plan, stating, “Nah, Neymar was always on their radar. It was never a case of me or him, to be honest.”
The Aftermath:
Windass, who made 73 appearances for Rangers, scoring 19 goals and setting up 13, bid farewell shortly after Steven Gerrard’s arrival at the club. Reflecting on his time at Rangers and the almost-move to Santos, Windass seemed to take it all in stride. Despite the rollercoaster ride of events, he maintained a positive outlook on the situation, showing resilience and professionalism in the face of disappointment. And as they say, when one door closes, another one opens. It’s safe to say that Windass’s journey is far from over, with new opportunities and challenges awaiting him in the world of football.
