Calvin Bassey transfer accelerates Rangers recruitment as boss makes 'another player coming in' statement

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has confirmed that he will seek a replacement for Calvin Bassey once the Nigerian international confirms his exit.

It's widely expected that the left-sided defender who arrived from Leicester City two years will make a big money switch to Dutch champions Ajax. They need a replacement for Manchester United -bound Lisandro Martinez and will give Rangers in excess of £20 million for Bassey. He was left out of Saturday's 2-1 friendly win at Blackpool and van Bronckhorst has confirmed it is because a transfer away from Rangers is nearing.

Once it reaches completion, wheels will be in motion to find a replacement. He told Sky Sports: "We have our list ready. So, once the deal is done we can work on another player coming in. It was better for all to keep him behind. I think we are in talks with interested clubs, it looks like Calvin is moving on.

"Well, of course I want to keep Calvin, he's had incredible development in the last six months, coming from the bench into the team.

"I'm really happy with his performances but also, when you have players who are playing well in the league and Europe, the attention will be there. In the end, everything we do has to be in the best interests of the club.

"We changed the players who left and got new players in but with Calvin maybe going as well, we have to look for another player to add to the squad."