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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Boyd delivers Bassey Rangers exit verdict as he urges contract reinvestment

Boyd delivers Bassey Rangers exit verdict as he urges contract reinvestment

KRIS BOYD admits Calvin Bassey would be tough to replace if he does leave Rangers in the summer.

Bassey has been linked with both Ajax and Brighton in recent days with a fee worth over £20million touted to take the defender from Ibrox.

Boyd reckons Bassey would be a serious loss to Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side if he was to leave.

And the former Ibrox striker has predicted the club will look to reinvest in a couple of new additions rather than a like-for-like move if Bassey moves on.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Boyd explained: “If he has to go, and it looks as if it’s going to happen, he’ll be a big miss for Rangers.

"But there’s players who have left in the past who have been replaced. This one could be a little bit difficult.

"Borna Barisic is there and he’s been linked with moves away as well, so you’re going to need someone to come in at left back and someone who can play on the left-hand side of a three or a two as well. It’s not as if they’re just going to get a replacement.

"Rangers are probably going to have to bring in a couple of players off the back of losing such a talent in Calvin Bassey.

"I can’t see them spending £10million to £15million of the money they receive for Calvin Bassey on a left back or centre back as such. I think they’ll strengthen the squad."

Rangers have already allowed Joe Aribo to move this summer with the midfielder one of a few players into the final year of their contracts.

Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos are in a similar position with less than 12 months on their current deals.

And while Boyd is certain it's "impossible" to keep every player tied down, Boyd has questioned whether any transfer cash could help offer increased deals to those with contracts running down.

He said: “It’s impossible for Rangers to keep all the players that are out of contract.

"I know Calvin Bassey wasn't one of them and I think that’s why Rangers are pretty relaxed about the deal.

"But having this money maybe allows them to go and offer a little bit more to the players who are out of contract."

And pundit Boyd is also expecting decisions to be made on those players with expiring contracts before the window closes.

He added: "From what I’m led to believe, between now and the end of the transfer window, all the players who are out of contract this season will have decided whether they are staying or going.

“If they’re going to sign new contracts, they’ll sign them.

"If not, they’ll be sold to try and find someone else, because Rangers will want to get the money in.

"They don't want to leave it to the last minute and then lose players for nothing.

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