Highly-courted Rangers defender and Nigeria international, Calvin Bassey will be most likely irreplaceable if he leaves Ibrox in this summer transfer window.
Bassey, 22, who was snubbed from the Super Eagles squad by former Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen, sprung to the limelight in the second half of the season for Gers to win the Scottish Cup and reached the final of Europa League.
In a recent interview, Kris Boyd, a former Rangers striker, noted that Bassey was very outstanding later in the season and was instrumental to the club’s successful campaign. The Trumpet Gathered
Boyd said Bassey provided relief to the team during that period and was a rallying point for the squad.
According to him, the Super Eagles defender who was included in the Nigeria squad by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro for 2023 TotalEnergies AFCON qualifiers, will be almost impossible to replace if he leaves Rangers this season.
“We know when teams are looking at players nowadays, they want them to be able to cover numerous positions, and Calvin Bassey certainly falls into that category,” Boyd told Sky Sports.
“His performances towards the end of the season for Rangers were outstanding, and you feel as if the team got a lot of belief from that as well.
“They didn’t have to protect the backline as much. His pace in dealing with recoveries and one-on-ones was excellent,” he added.
Several reports recently have linked Bassey as a potential replacement for Lisandro Martinez who joined Manchester United from Ajax this month to become one of the shortest defenders in the Premier League.
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“If he has to go, and it looks as if it’s going to happen, he’ll be a big miss for Rangers. But there’s players who have left in the past who have been replaced. This one could be a little bit difficult,” the former Gers striker admitted.
However, Boyd opined that Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side must bring a couple of players with the proceeds from Bassey’s sale should he leave Ibrox this season.
He continued: “Borna Barisic is there and he’s been linked with moves away as well, so you’re going to need someone to come in at left-back and someone who can play on the left-hand side of a three or a two as well.
“It’s not as if they’re just going to get a replacement. Rangers are probably going to have to bring in a couple of players off the back of losing such a talent in Calvin Bassey.
“I can’t see them spending £10million to £15million of the money they receive for Calvin Bassey on a left back or centre back as such. I think they’ll strengthen the squad,” he added.
Calvin Bassey has also been on the radar to reunite with Aston Villa head coach, Steven Gerrard at Villa Park.
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