MX23RW : Tuesday, August 2 09:25:38| >> :60:2235:2235:

Ajax eye Rangers defender Calvin Bassey as Lisandro Martinez replacement?

Ajax eye Rangers defender Bassey as Martinez replacement?
© Reuters
Ajax reportedly identify Rangers defender Calvin Bassey as a potential replacement for Manchester United-bound Lisandro Martinez, while Brighton & Hove Albion are also interested.

Ajax have reportedly identified Rangers defender Calvin Bassey as a potential replacement for Manchester United-bound Lisandro Martinez.

The Eredivisie champions have reached an agreement with the Red Devils to sell Martinez for a fee which could rise to €55m (£46.6m), and the Argentine has confirmed that he is on his way to Manchester to complete his move.

According to the Daily Mail, Ajax have proposed a deal worth £19m plus add-ons to Rangers for Bassey, while Brighton & Hove Albion have also held talks with the Gers and have tabled a £16m bid.

Meanwhile, a separate report from Sky Sports News claims that Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder was impressed with Bassey after holding a conversation with the 22-year-old over the phone.

The defender has also attracted interest from clubs in Serie A, the Bundesliga and former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, who is now in charge of Aston Villa.

Rangers' Calvin Bassey in action with Ansgar Knauff on May 18, 2022© Reuters

Despite interest from a number of clubs across Europe, it is thought that Rangers are relaxed over Bassey's situation, with the Nigeria international under contract at Ibrox until June 2024.

Bassey joined the Glaswegian giants from Leicester City for just £230,000 in the summer of 2020 and he has since developed into an invaluable member of their first-team squad.

The versatile defender, who can play at either centre-back or left-back, made only 15 appearances in his first season at the club, but he elevated his game to new heights in the 2021-22 campaign, starting 45 of his 50 games across all tournaments under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Bassey particularly impressed in Rangers' memorable journey to the Europa League final and was named in the competition's Team of the Season.

As a result of Bassey's notable rise over the last 12 months, Rangers now value the Nigerian at £25m and they will not entertain any offers from interested club below their asking price.

Rangers' Calvin Bassey pictured on May 12, 2022© Reuters

Nathan Patterson's £16m departure to Everton last summer is Rangers' club-record sale, while Kieran Tierney's £25m switch from Celtic to Arsenal in 2019 is the all-time record sale in Scotland.

Van Bronckhorst has recently heaped praise on Bassey's development in Glasgow and hopes that he can keep hold of the defender this summer.

Speaking to the media, via the Daily Mail, on their pre-season tour, the Dutchman said: "He is fantastic. Bassey is a player who is at the beginning of his career, but also a player who is open to coaching.

"He wants to develop himself, and hopefully we can have him longer here because his development needs to be a couple of years more before he reaches the level that he will be comfortable to get into a new team.

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst celebrates after reaching the Europa League final on May 5, 2022© Reuters

"You never know what will happen. The potential Bassey has is massive, that is potential also other teams will notice he has.

"Calvin came in, he is very sharp, very energetic and happy here. I think it is good for him to keep going, and to give everything he has to this team, which he's done really well so far."

Rangers have already allowed one key player to leave the club this summer, with attacking midfielder Joe Aribo joining Southampton on a permanent deal worth up to £10m.

The long-term future of star striker Alfredo Morelos is also believed to be uncertain as the Colombian has just 12 months remaining on his contract at Ibrox.

ID:490198:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8995:

Click here for more stories about Calvin Bassey

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Aston Villa's Carney Chukwuemeka pictured in December 2021
Read Next:
Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City 'among clubs to rival Barca for Chukwuemeka'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Champions League
EFL Cup
Copa Sudamericana
Brasileiro
Argentine Primera Division
Uruguayan Primera Division
Washington Open Second Round
5pm
Edmund
Evans
8pm
Rublev
Draper
11pm
Van De Zandschulp
Gojo
11pm
Koepfer
Khachanov
Washington Open First Round
6.30pm
Bonzi
Eubanks
6.30pm
McDonald
Ruusuvuori
6.30pm
Nishioka
Brooksby
6.30pm
Korda
Ivashka
8pm
Goffin
Sock
11.55pm
Kyrgios
Giron
Tables

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!