Calvin Bassey will be confirmed as an Ajax player in the next few days, according to various reports across Europe.
The Super Eagles defender is on the verge of leaving Rangers for the Dutch champions in a deal worth €27 million in transfer fee.
Bassey, 22, will cost Ajax €22m a guaranteed fee and €5m in add-ons, making him the most expensive signing in Ajax history.
He will also be the biggest sale in Rangers history, eclipsing the £16m they sold Nathan Patterson to Everton in January.
The Nigeria international is expected to sign a five-year contract, according to Sky Sports and European transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Rangers and Ajax agreed the deal last night as the Dutch side beat off competition from Premier League club Brighton, who were also keen on the powerful Nigerian, and clubs in Italy and Germany.
Sky Sports reported last night that Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder had spoken to Bassey over the phone and was impressed, with the Dutch club looking to make the Nigerian their replacement for Lisandro Martinez, who is set to join Manchester United.
Bassey, who joined Rangers from Leicester City for only £230,000 in 2020, made 50 appearances across all competitions last season and was named in the UEFA Europa League team of the season following Rangers’ run to the final.
The Rangers fanbase and the club’s former players have taken a liking to Bassey, who can play left-back and centre-back, and they will miss his industry and versatility.
“Especially towards the end of this season, and the Europa League run that Rangers had, Bassey was unbelievable,” former Rangers striker Kris Boyd told Sky Sports last night.
“He’s versatile, too; he can play left-back, he can play the left of a two, left of a three, the centre of three and I think that’s why he’s attracting clubs. We know, nowadays, that when teams are looking at players, they are looking at them to cover numerous positions and he, Bassey, certainly falls into that category.
“These performances towards the end of the season for Rangers were outstanding and you felt as if the team got lots of belief from that as well. They didn’t have to protect the back line as much because of his pace, recovery, ability to deal with one-on-one situations. If he has to go, as it look as though is going to happen, he will be a big miss for Rangers.
“Virgil van Dijk proved it at the top level, but I think is very harsh on such a young boy, at this moment, time to label him. But he’s showing that he’s got the attributes; he’s got the pace, he’s got the aggression, he’s good with the ball, he can defend one-on-ones, so he will be an attractive signing for someone.”
Bassey is expected to be announced by Ajax alongside fellow new signings Francisco Conceicao and Brian Brobbey.
