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Ajax and Brighton target defender likened to Virgil van Dijk

talksport.com, 14 July 2022, 12:14
Ajax and Brighton are interested in signing Rangers defender Calvin Bassey this summer, talkSPORT understands.

The 22-year-old left-back who has impressed at Ibrox is also a target for several other Premier League sides.

Bassey was Rangers' Man of the Match in last season's Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville, and has plenty of suitors.

A move to Netherlands to join Ajax could be the likely destination for the Nigeria international, though.

Especially with the Eredivisie champions on the verge of selling Argentinian star Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag is looking to reunite with the centre-back as part of his rebuild at Old Trafford having worked with him in the Dutch capital.

A deal has been agreed between the clubs, with the Red Devils set to fork out £46million for the 24-year-old.

It means Bassey could head to Netherlands and fill a similar role given he can play at both left-back and centre-back.

No bid has been made yet, although, previous reports suggested Rangers are seeking £25m for the defender.

Whether Ajax will pay such a fee for the player remains to be seen, but talkSPORT's football correspondent Alex Crook has revealed the club would prefer to fork out a fee between £15-20million.

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is hopeful of keeping hold of his star defender, who has been likened to Virgil van Dijk, having lost midfielder Joe Aribo to Southampton in a £10m deal.

"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 previously told reporters.

"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.

"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.

"I am more than happy to help Bassey in his development, and to make sure he comes to reach a level where everyone will say 'Well, the best thing for him is to move on'.

"They are all winners. The club is a winner because we developed him and we will get a transfer fee.

"And the player as well, he will have a fantastic time here then move on."

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