Giovanni van Bronckhorst has admitted that Calvin Bassey may leave Rangers Football Club this summer amid interest from his former boss Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, via quotes by The Herald.
Bassey enjoyed a stellar campaign last season as his stock continually rose with each game for the Ibrox outfit. The 22-year-old made a whopping 50 appearances in all competitions, while laying on six assists after doubling duties in central defence with outings at left-back.
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Augustine Eguavoen also awarded Bassey his Nigeria debut in March, and he has retained a starting presence under Jose Peseiro. The six-cap talent even laid on a first international assist against Mexico in May, as he establishes the foundations of a vital Super Eagles role.
Rangers boss concedes Calvin Bassey exit is possible amid Aston Villa interest
Gerrard fielded Bassey for 13 of his Rangers appearances last season, before leaving Ibrox to take charge of Aston Villa. Now, the England legend is interested in a reunion with the Aosta, Italy-born defender, and Sky Sports note Bassey is open to joining him at Villa Park.
Aston Villa are among a number of clubs interested in Bassey, who Rangers would value at no less than £25m. Teams in the Bundesliga are also monitoring developments at Ibrox for a move, should the Gers ease their reluctance to let the £230k arrival from Leicester leave.
Van Bronckhorst has no desire to see Bassey move away from Glasgow during the summer sales. The Ibrox boss firmly believes in the defender’s bright future and hopes to continue watching his progress first-hand. But the Dutchman cannot entirely rule out a sale, either.
“You never know,” Van Bronckhorst conceded. “Of course, the potential he has is big, the potential also that a team will notice he has. He came in, he is very sharp, he is very energetic and happy.
“I think it is good for him to keep going, keep going, and to give everything he has to this team, which he has done so far really well.”
Bassey is under contract at Rangers through to 2024, having penned a four-year contract after leaving Leicester in 2020. He never made a first-team appearance for the Foxes over a five-year stay as a regular presence in the various youth folds at the King Power Stadium.
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