Again, Rangers urged to cash on Bassey
Bassey rounded off the campaign with top performances for his country during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games and end-of-season friendlies
Defiant Craig Moore insists Super Eagles star Calvin Bassey could remain a Rangers player next season if clubs aren't willing to spend big this summer - and reckons there will be more than Aston Villa making bids.
The Nigerian international has been strongly linked with a move away from Ibrox to reunite with former boss Steven Gerrard in the English Premier League after an impressive campaign domestically and en route to the Europa League final.
Bassey rounded off the campaign with top performances for his country during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games and end-of-season friendlies.
The 22-year-old is currently enjoying a break before Rangers ' pre-season campaign starting up next week ahead of the Champions League qualifiers as Gio van Bronckhorst looks to reach the group stage.
If he is to be taken away from the Europa League finalists, any deal will have to be well in excess of a Rangers' record sale that saw Nathan Patterson head for Everton.
Former Ibrox skipper Moore has urged his side to demand a bumper fee for their prize asset this summer if he is to leave the Scottish Premiership.
However, he reckons clubs will be lining up for a deal, which could see his price skyrocket in a bidding war.
Speaking on Aston Villa 's interest in Bassey, Moore told The Go Radio Football Show: "I think that people are just going to continually be banging on Rangers door, such was the season that he had.
"He struggled for a little bit when he went into a central defensive position, so I think football people will be looking at that and thinking 'by the way, struggled, but how much did he improve'?
"So that's also a great sign for a football player, to show that they have learnt in a season like that.
"Personally, I would love to see all the best players at Rangers for as long as possible. Realistically, if someone pays £25million for him he won't be here, but you need to get to that level.
"Otherwise he is going to be a Rangers player and have another sensational season.
Also, Michael Beale has warned Rangers the time might be ripe to cash in on Bassey.
The new QPR boss said: “I think the key thing for Ross Wilson and the staff there is to have the conveyor belt in place. I think the cross-border thing really helped in terms of taking a player like [Calvin Bassey] for just over £200,000. The same with Joe Aribo.
“Having the conveyor belt in place is really important. That conveyor belt can come through your own academy, like a Nathan Patterson, or it can come from outside. But it’s important when players come and they reach a selling point… With the TV money, it’s the same in the Championship as it is for Glasgow Rangers. You have to sell at the right time.
“If the money being bandied about for Calvin is actually a reality then what a return on your investment that is. On a selfish side I’d like to see him continue because I know he’s having a lovely time.”
Record Sport understands Bassey is in no rush to leave having formed close bonds with his Ibrox team-mates and a close working relationship with boss van Bronckhorst. And Beale believes it’s the tight-knit spirit in the Ibrox dressing room that has allowed Gers to hang on to their key players for so long.
