Serie A clubs to join race for Bassey as Nigerian defender makes SPFL team of the season
Several clubs will be making enquiries about Calvin Bassey but Rangers can be fairly relaxed knowing that it will take a record fee to prise him away from Ibrox
Many may not be aware that the Nigerian international was born in the Aosta Valley region of Italy, but it was in London that he was reared and took his formative steps in the game.
Now at the age of 22, Bassey has put himself on a platform thanks to his high-performance level as Rangers navigated the route to the Europa League Final in Seville.
Those performances were supported with the consistency of regular game time in the Scottish Premiership as the former Leicester player excelled in two positions – centre-back and left-back.
It was that form overall, that earned him the Rangers Young Player of the Year accolade on merit but of more impact, probably, was those displays against the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Braga, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt. On that basis, clubs in Italy are taking notice of Rangers prime asset, as revealed by former Ibrox defender, Sergio Porrini who also acknowledged glances from the Premier League:
“I am not surprised that Aston Villa and other top clubs are looking at him. I know there has been Serie A interest and a lot of teams will be wanting to sign him this summer.”
“Any club who has the budget will be trying to get him because he is a top, young defender who will only get better. The good thing for Rangers is that he is still under contract and if they are to sell him it would take a lot of money to get him.”
As good as anyone
Porrini continued, “I have been really impressed with Bassey. He has been really impressive this season. He caught my eye, especially in the big European games and for me he was as good as anyone in the Europa League final.”
“He is quick. physically strong and very committed. For me, he is a real defender.”
Several clubs will be making enquiries about Calvin Bassey but Rangers can be fairly relaxed knowing that it will take a record fee to prise him away from Ibrox. The price tag should any suitors really want a deal has to reflect the going rate in the Premier League, as well as the recent sale of Nathan Patterson, with Bassey easily having proven himself further.
Meanwhile, Bassey has been named in the official SPFL Team of the Season for his fantastic campaign with Rangers.
The Super Eagles defender made 50 appearances across all competitions and finished the season as a runner-up in the league, but did help Rangers to win a Scottish Cup.
The Nigeria international, who has recently been linked with Aston Villa, Wolves, Borrusia Dortmund and other clubs, also made big contributions for Rangers in their brilliant run to the Europa League final.
The SPFL’s description of the player reads: “A revelation in the Rangers backline, the 22-year-old began to show his real quality as the season progressed. Whether deployed at left-back or at centre-back, Bassey performed to a remarkable level not only in the league but in Rangers’ deep runs in cup competitions at home and abroad.”
