- Ajax have bid £19million for Rangers’ Nigeria international Calvin Bassey but the bid does not meet the Scottish side’s £25m valuation of the defender
Ajax are offering £19million plus-add-ons for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey while Brighton are understood to have proposed £16m for the Nigeria international.
Sportsmail understands both clubs have already made approaches but are yet to put forward offers that would be deemed acceptable.
Bassey has been lined up by Ajax to replace Lisandro Martinez who is joining Manchester united for £46m.
Ajax face competition from Brighton for Rangers’ £25m-rated centre-back Calvin Bassey
Rangers are keen to retain Bassey in the wake of his excellent breakout season and have placed a £25million price tag on the player.
Gio Van Bronckhorst spoke recently of wanting to continue Bassey’s development at Ibrox. However, with two years left on the player’s current contract, this window could be the optimum point for a hugely profitable return on the £230,000 paid to Leicester City in 2020.
Coach Alfred Schreuder has identified Bassey as his preferred replacement for Martinez, with one report in the Netherlands claiming they have already spoken by phone.
Bassey was a standout performer in the Europa League final and the Gers want to keep him
The Amsterdam club have already banked more than £40m this summer from the sales of Sebastian Haller and Ryan Gravenberch to Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich respectively.
They have paid out £26m to sign winger Steven Bergwijn from Tottenham, as well as £9m on AZ Alkmaar defender Owen Wijndal —and now have Bassey very much in their sights.
