Ajax are working on a deal to sign Calvin Bassey to fill the spot left by Lisandro Martinez, who is on the verge of joining Manchester United, while Brighton are also interested, according to reports in England and the Netherlands today.
The Dutch champions and Manchester United have reportedly agreed a fee of around €50m for Argentina defender Martinez, with the deal set to be sealed today.
Ajax are in the market for a left-sided centre-back similar to Martinez, and they have identified the much sought-after Bassey.
The Nigeria international has attracted interest from across Europe these past few weeks following his emergence last season at Rangers as one of the best young defenders on the continent.
Bassey, 22, made 50 appearances for Rangers last season as they reached the UEFA Europa League final and won the Scottish Cup.
The Super Eagles star was named in the Europa League team of the season following the club’s run to the final.
Sky Sports reported this morning that Brighton and Ajax have held initial talks over a deal to sign the highly-rated Nigerian.
Bassey, who is equally competent at left-back and centre-back, is also attracting interest from the Serie A and Bundesliga with at least seven clubs monitoring him, Sky Sports added.
The British outlet claimed that Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder has spoken to Bassey over the phone and was impressed, with the Dutch club preparing a formal bid as they look to replace Martinez.
Rangers are said to be confident that Bassey could stay for at least another season, but they will demand no less than £25 million from suitors if they were to let him go.
The all-time Scottish record transfer fee is £25m, which Arsenal paid Celtic for Kieran Tierney in 2019.
Bassey joined Rangers from Leicester City for just £230,000 two years ago.
