Journalist: Gerrard and Aston Villa now 'hoping' to make 'sensational' star fifth summer signing

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard will be ‘hoping’ to land Rangers defender Calvin Bassey this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Villa have already made four permanent additions this summer. Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen have converted their loan spells into full-time moves, while deals for Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos have been completed.

Bassey has also been linked with a move to Villa Park, with reports towards the end of May even going as far as suggesting that a transfer was close.

Speculation has cooled following the move for Carlos, but O’Rourke thinks that a deal for the Nigerian defender may still be of interest to Gerrard.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke said that the Villa manager will be looking to use ‘his past connections’ with Rangers to ‘swing’ a potential deal for Bassey ‘in his favour’.

The journalist stated: “I think for Rangers, they’ll be definitely trying to keep hold of Bassey, but Gerrard will be hoping his past connections with Bassey can maybe swing the deal in his favour, if Rangers do decide to sell.”

Described as ‘absolutely sensational’ by Jason Cundy, Bassey can line out as a centre-back and left-back and was a regular at Ibrox this season, making 50 appearances in total.

Villa will now have five senior centre-backs after signing Carlos, but should Newcastle loanee Matt Targett seal a permanent move away from the Midlands, they could be short at left-back.

Meanwhile, Ashley Young is out of contract at the end of June, so Bassey could come in as competition for Lucas Digne while providing yet another centre-back option for Gerrard at Villa Park.

In other news: ‘Incomings…’ – Chief reporter drops what Villa supporters should now ‘expect’ after Olsen move

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