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| Calvin Bassey of Rangers (R) defends the ball from Ansgar Knauff of Frankfurt (L) during the UEFA Europa League final match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 18, 2022 in Seville, Spain. |
Ajax want to invest some of their sizeable transfer
profits in a move for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey.
But the Dutch giants face competition from Brighton as the chase for the
22-year-old Ibrox star intensifies. Sportsmail understands both clubs
have already made approaches but are yet to put forward offers that would be
deemed acceptable.
Rangers are keen to retain Bassey in the wake of his
excellent breakout season and have placed a £25million price tag on the player.
Ajax want to test that resolve as they prepare to
rake in around £46m from the transfer of Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez
to Manchester United.
Coach Alfred Schreuder has identified Bassey as his
preferred replacement for Martinez, with one report in the Netherlands claiming
they have already spoken by phone.
The Amsterdam club have already banked more than £40m
this summer from the sales of Sebastian Haller and Ryan Gravenberch to Borussia
Dortmund and Bayern Munich respectively.
They have paid out £26m to sign winger Steven
Bergwijn from Tottenham, as well as £9m on AZ Alkmaar defender Owen Wijndal
—and now have Bassey very much in their sights.
Brighton’s interest is thought to be longer-standing
than their Dutch rivals.
The English Premier League side, who finished ninth
last season, could be poised to secure a transfer windfall of their own if
Manchester City follow through on a wish to sign left-back Marc Cucurella.
Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa have also been closely
monitoring Bassey’s position, as have a number of clubs in Germany and Italy.
The Nigeria international progressed rapidly under
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s guidance after the Dutchman succeeded Gerrard as
manager at Ibrox last November.
He was a standout performer in the Europa League
final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt and man of the match as Rangers lifted the
Scottish Cup with victory over Hearts at the end of last term.
Van Bronckhorst spoke recently of wanting to
continue Bassey’s development at Ibrox. However, with two years left on the
player’s current contract, this window could be the optimum point for a hugely
profitable return on the £230,000 paid to sign Bassey from Leicester City in
2020.
While that situation remains ongoing, Rangers
continue to be active in attempts to strengthen their squad.
The Ibrox club this week completed the £2.5m signing
of Wales winger Rabbi Matondo, following the recruitment of John Souttar,
Antonio Colak and Tom Lawrence.
As Sportsmail revealed earlier this week,
Bayern Munich youngster Malik Tillman — who can play as an attacking midfielder
or striker — is another target.
Reports from Germany suggest Rangers face
competition from English clubs eager to secure the 20-year-old American
international on loan.
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