Borna Barisic to Nottingham Forest transfer 'formality' claim emerges as Rangers star still wanted in his homeland

Borna Barisic's future at Rangers remains uncertain after it was reported that Dinamo Zagreb and Nottingham Forest were in a transfer tussle for the Croat

The left-back signed for Steven Gerrard in 2018 from Prva Liga side Osijek, and he's been first-team starter under what is now four different managers; starting 203 games in all competitions and bagging nine goals in the process. But with Ridvan Yilmaz being signed for the future and performances dipping throughout Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale's tenures, it seems like a matter of time before he departs.

Reports had linked him with a move to Forest earlier in the week - and new claims suggest that a deal could be a 'formality'. The report by Croatian outlet Nogometne Vijesti suggests that Barisic is on the radar of both Dinamo and Nottingham Forest; though of course, Premier League funds have put the former European Cup winners ahead in the race for his signature.

That was in the summer, but a deal back to his homeland didn't materialise despite links towards the end of the window, which would've left the relatively inexperienced duo of Ridvan Yilmaz and Adam Devine in the left-back department at the club.

A bid was touted for the January window, but reports in the past week have stated that Forest have entered the race for his signature. Steve Cooper's side do boast Harry Toffolo, Nuno Tavares and Ola Aina who can all play on the left-hand side, but Toffolo has been given a five-month suspended sentence for gambling charges - and Barisic could come in if that is activated.

It's thought that Rangers hope to agree a deal with Barisic to end any speculation, whilst there has been the bizarre possibility of the Light Blues agreeing a deal but still selling