Aston Villa want Calvin Bassey with boss Steven Gerrard understood to be a huge fan of the Rangers defender’s versatility in multiple defensive positions.
Bassey cost Rangers just £230,000 in compensation as they swooped to sign the defender from Leicester City in a bargain deal.
Bassey was in and out of the Rangers side last season having been brought in as left back cover for Borna Barisic.
This season though, Bassey has taken an enormous leap.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has predominantly been deploying Bassey as a left-sided centre back rather than as a left back.
Bassey attracted worldwide attention last Wednesday night by turning in an ‘Incredible’ performance against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final.
Bassey then switched to left back against Hearts on Saturday afternoon and was hailed for his ‘phenomenal’ skills on the ball.
Aston Villa want Calvin Bassey
It’s therefore no great surprise that Bassey is attracting major interest ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
The Telegraph now claim that Aston Villa want to sign Bassey.
That would mean a reunion with Steven Gerrard just months after he quit Rangers to become Aston Villa boss.
Gerrard was Rangers manager when Bassey joined the Gers and it seems that the Liverpool legend has maintained an interest in Bassey’s progress.
The report notes that Gerrard is a particularly big fan of the versatility Bassey can provide.
Bassey has proven that he can play at centre back or left back at a very high level and his huge potential means he could get even better.
Villa may left a left-sided centre back leave this summer in Kortney Hause whilst Matt Targett is expected to leave permanently.
Bassey would be able to cover both positions if he did join Villa, though he is far too good for just a squad role.
Rangers would surely demand a huge fee for Bassey and there is certainly an argument to be made that he would be better off staying at Ibrox for his immediate development.
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