Scottish Premiership giants Rangers would consider selling Borna Barisic this summer even though the Croatia international hopes to stay at Ibrox, as reported by Football Scotland.
As recently as January, Rangers turned down two bids from Watford for their former Osijek flyer. The club’s stance, at the time, was as firm as it was understandable (The Sun).
With half of the season remaining, and with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side fighting on multiple fronts, the Glasgow giants were in no rush to cash in on any of their key players. Including their first-choice left-back.
Now, with a gruelling 2021/22 campaign behind them, it seems Rangers will be, if not happy to sell, then certainly open to offers.
Has Borna Barisic played his last game for Rangers?
Barisic’s form, since the turn of the year, has certainly left a lot to be desired.
He made two, almost identical mistakes during consecutive Premiership meetings between Celtic and Rangers, his error-strewn performance in the first half of that 3-0 thumping at Parkhead back in February giving Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops a major leg-up in their pursuit of the title.
“Let me tell you: Borna Barisic has had such a bad half,” Old Firm legend Kenny Miller told the BBC. “On the ball, he’s sloppy. He’s got absolutely no idea where Liel Abada (scorer of Celtic’s third goal) is. He’s got to be aware.
“That is absolutely schoolboy defending.”
Once renowned for his devastating crossing ability and his wand of a left foot, Barisic has been a shadow of his former self at both ends off the pitch since Steven Gerrard’s departure. He scored five goals and set up 14 more in 2020/21. This season, he mustered no goals and just three assists.
As such, Barisic is no longer an ‘unsellable’ asset. The long-serving defender, who turns 30 in November, wants to stay. But it is understood that Rangers will still be receptive to offers.
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
Gerrard’s Aston Villa showed an interest in the past but now appear to have turned their attention to Barisic’s Ibrox team-mate Calvin Bassey.
According to The Times, Villa are ‘closing in’ on the former Leicester City youngster.
Watford, meanwhile, will see their hand weakened after succumbing to relegation. The Hornets are heading straight back to the Championship after one, dismal top-flight season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
