Aston Villa‘s potential swoop for Rangers defender Calvin Bassey has been labelled as a “no-brainer” by former Scotland defender Alan Hutton, who played for both clubs during his career.
What’s the story?
Speaking to Football Insider, the 37-year-old was full of praise for the Nigerian international, stating: “He was outstanding in the Europa League final, and he carried that on in the Scottish Cup too.
“He’s growing in stature game-on-game. It doesn’t matter where he plays, centre-back or left-back – he gives you an unbelievable presence. He’s got such versatility – and that’s an attribute Villa will value so highly.
“For him to be putting in these kinds of performances at his age, and showing his capability at the highest level – it’s a no-brainer for someone like Villa to come in.
“If he can maintain that level and that consistency week-in, week-out – then wow, he could be an incredible player.”
Villa manager Steven Gerrard has already worked with the 22-year-old from his time in charge of Rangers and is reportedly keen to reunite with the versatile defender, with Sky Sports confirming the Midlanders’ interest earlier this week.
Villa must secure deal for Bassey
Having already signed Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal whilst completing swoops for Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos, all before June, the West Midlands club have already laid down a marker this summer.
Gerrard and co undoubtedly have plenty of ambition when it comes to signings in the off-season, and Bassey would be another excellent addition.
The Nigerian played at left-back for a good chunk of 2021/22, but with the January signing of Lucas Digne, you would expect the 22-year-old to be regularly deployed as a centre-back at Villa.
Should Gerrard sign Calvin Bassey?
Having made 49 appearances across all competitions this term, the former Leicester youth player has been instrumental at Ibrox, with Rangers reaching the Europa League final whilst narrowly losing out on the Premiership title to Celtic and winning the Scottish Cup.
Labelled “astonishing” by Owen Hargreaves after a tremendous display in the European final in Seville, Bassey is valued at a fee in excess of £25m by the Glaswegian club.
However, it already appears that, with the backing of NSWE, Villa will have deep pockets this summer, so a deal shouldn’t prove too complicated to complete.
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