Rangers face competition in the chase to sign Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing after Sunderland entered the race for his signature.
Downing is out of contract at the end of the season and has not agreed new terms to extend his stay at the Riverside Stadium.
The wide-man has not started a game for Middlesbrough since the end of December, as his contract situation rumbles on.
If Downing makes one further start, his current contract would trigger a one-year extension and Boro are claimed to be concerned his wages would be too high on his current deal if they do not go up.
Rangers have been linked with wanting Downing and they now have competition as, according to the Chronicle, Sunderland have emerged as a potential destination.
And the Black Cats may have the edge in the transfer chase as it is claimed Downing prefers to stay in the north east for family reasons.
Gerrard played alongside Downing at Liverpool and appears keen to unleash the winger on Scottish football.
It remains to be seen if Gerrard can sell the prospect of representing Rangers to Downing.
