By 
Calvin BASSEY’S impressive performances at the heart of Glasgow Rangers’ defence this season look set to lead him back to the Premier League, Megasportsarena.com reports.
The Nigerian defender has even been compared to Liverpool defender ‘like Virgil Van Dijk’ and he is said to be ‘destined for big things’ after shining in Europa League final, which could lead to Premier League return and Leicester regret.
Aston Villa are currently the market leaders to gain Bassey’s signature by the end of the summer. Leicester, Fulham, Newcastle and Southampton are all interested to secure his services.
Quick, strong, and comfortable on the ball, the Rangers man has everything you’d want from a modern-day centre-back.
And, despite a dominating performance in their cup final defeat in that position on Wednesday night, Bassey has spent a large portion of his career at left-back.
His former boss Steven Gerrard signed him from Leicester in 2020 and labelled him as a full-back when talking about his new addition for the first time, whilst handing him the No.3 shirt at Ibrox.
Even this season, he has shown his versatility under Gerrard’s successor, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, by playing in both positions but, after his performance against Frankfurt, there should be only one he plays from now.
He showed his mental toughness as well as his physical strength in extra-time, when his two incredible recovery runs prevented the German side from taking the lead.
Stopping Germans is what the English like to do best, but, unfortunately for Gareth Southgate, Bassey has pledged his allegiance to the Nigerian national team and has already made two senior caps for the Super Eagles.
That’s despite him being born in Italy, which is where he grew up before moving to England and joining Leicester at 15.
The fact that Rangers signed him for absolutely nothing from the Foxes now represents a phenomenal piece of business – and reason for major regret from the Foxes camp.
With Bassey contracted until 2024, Rangers can command a decent fee if a team from the Premier League, or anywhere else, tries sniffing around him this summer – and Rangers legend McCoist says he could ‘walk’ into any team.
“What about that performance, he was absolutely frightening,” the Ibrox favourite said on Thursday’s talkSPORT Breakfast.
“He’s walking in anywhere on that performance.”
Some will say he could have done better for the Frankfurt equaliser, but, at 22, you can’t expect him to be the finished article.
His performance at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium was almost perfect, however, which impressed fans, pundits, and maybe even some scouts.
And if he wants the Van Dijk comparisons to continue, a move from Scotland to the Premier League would help, which might just lead to Virgil-like superstar status.
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