Ajax join the battle to sign versatile Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey
Eredivisie champions, Ajax Amsterdam, have joined the list of clubs interested in Rangers defender, Calvin Bassey.
Ajax, according to the Daily Mail, has identified Bassey as a replacement for Argentina defender, Lisandro Martinez, who is set to join Manchester United for £46m.
Aston Villa, who are managed by former Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in the versatile defender.
Bassey earned rave reviews for his impressive display for Rangers last season.
The 22-year-old put up a spirited performance in the Rangers’ UEFA Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in May.
The Nigerian also played a key role as the Gers beat Hearts 2-0 to win the Scottish Cup a few days later at Hampden Park.
Bassey only joined Rangers from Leicester City two years ago for a fee of £320,000 but has fit in to the Rangers side like a glove and has become an integral member of the Gers squad.
His manager, Van Bronckhorst had this to say about him on the Gers pre-season tour: ‘Of course the development of Calvin Bassey last season was fantastic.
‘He can be very good. I always remember the first game we played at Hibs away and he had to come in because Leon Balogun went off.
‘He came in and the first action he had was pressing in midfield and he’s a serious physical presence.
‘The next day I saw him at the training ground and I remembered that action and I told him, ‘That is what I want from you when you play for us’.
‘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.
‘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.’
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