Calvin Bassey 'open' to Aston Villa transfer talks as Rangers stance revealed

Calvin Bassey is 'open' to discussing a transfer from Rangers to Aston Villa this summer, according to reports.

Steven Gerrard wants to recruit another left-back to add competition for Lucas Digne, who joined the squad for £25million in January. Bologna's Aaron Hickey is a long-term target for Villa, while Sergio Gomez and Quentin Merlin are viewed as cheaper alternatives to the Scotland international and Bassey.

That's because the former Leicester City youth star could cost up to £25million this summer. Gerrard signed him for Rangers in 2020 and the Nigeria international is being tracked by several clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga.

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Villa could hold an advantage over other interested clubs with Gerrard at the helm. And Sky Sports News claim that while Bassey is settled at Ibrox, he would be 'open' to talking to Villa about a possible move to the West Midlands.

The report adds that Rangers do not want to sell the 22-year-old after he was named in the Europa League team of the season following the club's run to the final, which ended in heartbreak as Frankfurt beat the Scottish giants on penalties in Seville last month.

Bassey made a total of 50 appearances for Rangers last season and also played a key role in the club's Scottish Cup success, having won several man of the match awards along the way. For Villa, they are out to improve their defence after already recruiting Brazilian. centre-back Diego Carlos from Sevilla last month.

Carlos followed Boubacar Kamara to Villa Park, as the Frenchman joined after leaving Marseille on a free transfer. Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen have also signed permanent contracts after