Ajax are reportedly set to make a multi-million pound swoop for Calvin Bassey as a replacement for Lisandro Martinez following the Argentinian’s £46 million move to Manchester United.
Bassey has been the subject of intense speculation over his Ibrox future since his man of the match display against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League Final. And now talkSPORT claim the Dutch giants could be lining up a move for the 22-year-old Nigeria International as they look to fill the void left by the equally versatile Martinez who is on the verge of completing his move to Old Trafford to reunited with his former Ajax gaffer Erik ten Haag.
Aston Villa, bossed by Bassey’s old Gers gaffer Steven Gerrard, have been heavily linked with the defender after he signed him from Leicester City and Brighton and Hove Albion are now also said to be monitoring the Super Eagles star as a potential left back replacement for Marc Cucurella who has been linked with Manchester City. Speaking from the club’s pre-season training camp in Portugal, Giovanni van Bronckhorst admitted he wanted to help develop Bassey and that he will move on when the time is right - like international team-mate Joe Aribo.
But Ajax could be set to test Rangers’ resolve with talkSPORT’s Alex Crook claiming that Alfred Schreuder’s is set to launch a bid to take Bassey to the Eredivisie. He said: “I know Rangers are keen to keep him for at least one more year but you have to believe the lure of playing in the Champions League and playing for an iconic club like Ajax might be too good to turn down.
“The fee I’m being told is in the region of between £15m and £20m with add-ons. I know there is Premier League interest, strong interest for Brighton earlier in the window which seems to have gone quiet. It wouldn’t surprise me if Calvin Bassey was to replace Martinez at Ajax. He offers that versatility.”
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