Rangers signed Calvin Bassey for £230,000 from Leicester City; Brighton and Ajax among many clubs interested in Nigerian international; Rangers to recieve club record transfer fee for second consecutive season if defender is sold; Ibrox side looking to make more signings this window
Wednesday 3 August 2022 19:48, UK
Brighton and Ajax have held initial talks over a deal to sign Rangers' highly-rated Calvin Bassey.
The versatile defender is also attracting interest from the Serie A and Bundesliga with at least seven sides tracking the 22-year-old.
Sky Sports News reported in May that Bassey was also a target for former Gers boss Steven Gerrard, now at Aston Villa.
It is understood Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder has spoken to Bassey over the phone and was impressed, with the Dutch club preparing a formal bid as they look to replace Lisandro Martinez who is set to join Manchester United.
Rangers are relaxed over interest in the Nigerian international and will not entertain any bids unless they exceed £20m, with one source suggesting any deal may need to better the all-time Scottish record of £25m when Kieran Tierney joined Arsenal from Celtic.
Should Bassey - who joined from Leicester City for just £230,000 two years ago - depart this summer it will see Rangers smash their club record transfer fee for a second consecutive season.
It would follow academy graduate Nathan Patterson's move to Everton in January for £16m as the club move towards full financial sustainability thanks to their player trading model - a key part of the Rangers board's strategy.
Although Bassey is understood to be settled at Rangers, he would be open to further talks with Ajax and Brighton.
The defender, who still has two years on his deal left - made 50 appearances across all competitions last season and was named in the Europa League team of the season following the club's run to the final.
He also played a key role as Rangers won the Scottish Cup in May, adding to the Scottish Premiership title he won the previous campaign.
Rangers have already added Antonio Colak, Tom Lawrence, Rabbi Matondo and John Souttar to their squad this summer but are expected to make further moves during the window.
With reported interest in Rangers' other left-back Borna Barisic, the club are looking at adding more defensive options, as well as bolstering their attacking line-up as the club bid to qualify for the Champions League and reclaim the Scottish Premiership title.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd told Sky Sports News:
"Especially towards the end of this season - and the Europa League run that Rangers had, Bassey was unbelievable. He's versatile, too; he can play left-back, he can play the left of a two, left of a three, the centre of three and I think that's why he's attracting clubs. We know, nowadays, that when teams are looking at players, they are looking at them to cover numerous positions and he Bassey certainly falls into that category.
"These performances towards the end of the season for Rangers were outstanding and you felt as if the team got lots of belief from that as well. They didn't have to protect the back line as much because of his pace, recovery, ability to deal with one-on-one situations. If he has to go, as it look as though is going to happen, he will be a big miss for Rangers.
"Players have left in the past and they replaced, but I think this one could be a little bit difficult because of that versatility. I think the Rangers will need cover. Borna Barisic is there, but he's been linked with moves away as well. So they are going to need someone to come in at left-back, and someone that can play on the left-hand side of a two or a three as well off the back of losing Bassey.
"Virgil van Dijk proved it at the top level, but I think is very harsh on such a young boy, at this moment, time to label him. But he's showing that he's got the attributes; he's got the pace, he's got the aggression, he's good with the ball, he can defend one-on-ones, so he will be an attractive signing for someone.
"Brighton have been the English team linked with him and I'm not surprised because when you look at the way they have gone about their business since they have come to the Premier League has been outstanding.
"I don't think they will pay over the top for any player and I don't think they need to. We've seen that with Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Ben White last season. They will bring players in, give them an opportunity then they will give them an opportunity and then sell them on. And I'm sure the owner Tony Bloom and Brighton will have the exact same thought process with Calvin Bassey or they wouldn't do the deal.
"I can't help but think that this could maybe start a domino effect. We've already seen Zinchenko linked with Arsenal and if I was Manchester City, I would go and give Brighton whatever they want for Cucurella. I think he's as good as anything in the Premier League. He suits their attacking style of play and, if that's the case, Bassey could quite easily find himself being a starter at Brighton."
Sky Sports' Sahil Jaidka:
"It comes as no surprise that Rangers could be set to sell one of their standout players from last season but whoever wants him faces a real battle to land the defender, such is the competition.
"After years of ups and downs at the likes of Leyton Orient, Charlton and Leicester, the 22-year-old has continued to excel at Ibrox and also broken into the Nigeria squad.
"His pace in and out of possession, aerial presence, versatility and strength saw him earn a spot as one of the first names on the team sheet at Ibrox last season.
"Not only domestically, but in Europe, Bassey has shown he has the potential to reach the top after claiming man of the match in the Europa League final then days later in the Scottish Cup final.
"Rangers fans will no doubt be sad to see him depart but if the club are to land a fee in the excess of £20m, it shows the player trading model is working.
"It is no secret Rangers want to buy players, develop them and then sell them on for a large profit and Bassey's departure would see just that happen.
"For the club to recieve a club record fee for a player for a second successive window will also be welcome as Rangers move towards full financial sustainability.
"With four additions already this window, it is clear the board are backing Giovanni van Bronckhorst in this transfer window and there's no doubt Sporting Director Ross Wilson will have a list ready to ensure more faces in several areas arrive at Ibrox before the transfer window shuts."
Former Rangers winger Chris Burke told Sky Sports News:
"I think he's been a standout, especially during the last six months. He can play numerous positions as you can see in a back three or back four.
"He's a sheer powerhouse and as time goes on he's just getting better and better.
"Great recruitment from the club and if they do sell him it'll be a lot of money.
"We talk about Kieran Tierney being in excess of £25m and you can't see that he would be any less than that.
"I hope for Rangers' sake that he does stay, he's still learning. He seems like he's a great kid and he was fantastic in the European match.
"We hope we can see Calvin Bassey in a Rangers shirt next season but I won't be surprised if it's a bidding war for him."
