Rangers force Jan U-turn with fresh call on ‘outstanding’ Gerrard signing

Follow us on Google Discover

Watford have withdrawn their interest in Borna Barisic, after Rangers rejected two bids for the defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst is not against selling in the January transfer market.

That’s according to The Sun, who report Hornets boss Claudio Ranieri has admitted defeat in his pursuit of the Croatian. The Italian pulled the plug on Watford’s pursuit on Monday, having courted a deal for Barisic in a bid to strengthen the leaky defence at Vicarage Road.

Watford have lost their last six Premier League games and have not kept a clean sheet this season. Only Newcastle (42), Norwich (42) and Leeds (37) have conceded more (36) as well.

Ranieri felt Barisic would offer an upgrade on his full-backs to help steer Watford to safety. They sit just two-points above the relegation zone, having played once more than Burnley.

But Rangers thwarted Ranieri by rejecting Watford’s £2m bid for Barisic’s transfer. The Gers also rejected an improved offer including £1.5m in add-ons as they held out for a £5m fee.

The Ibrox natives had needed to raise £7m by the end of the season to balance their books. Yet no longer need sales, after sending Nathan Patterson to Everton for a possible £16m.

Barisic will be fine with prolonged Rangers stay after Watford transfer interest

Barisic is likely fine with Rangers rejecting Watford’s bids for a January transfer away from Ibrox. Reports before the sales started claimed the 2018 arrival from NK Osijek wanted to stay in Glasgow, despite attracting Premier League interest.

Van Bronckhorst will also likely be happy to still have the left-back – who Steven Gerrard signed and called ‘outstanding’, via The Scottish Sun – despite the Gers setting a £5m tag.

Barisic has started eight of Rangers’ nine games under Van Bronckhorst so far. He also only missed their win over Dundee United after feeling ill in their prior win over St Johnstone.

Now, Barisic can keep up his mainstay status after Rangers’ valuation forced a U-turn from Watford over a January transfer. That is unless another suitor swoops and pays the full fee.