Report – Napoli identify Rangers full-back Barisic as summer target
Napoli have put Rangers full-back Borna Barisic on a four-man transfer shortlist ahead of the summer window, according to Italian outlet Il Mattino.
The Serie A giants are managed by ex-Ibrox man Gennaro Gattuso, and are said to be keen on strengthening their options at left-back in the coming weeks.
As such, a quartet of potential targets have been identified, with Barisic very much on that list.
This isn’t the first time that Napoli have been linked with the Croatia international, with One Football reporting back in March that a bid of around £7 million was in the pipeline.
As far back as January, Barisic was being mooted for a potential exit, with Napoli’s Italian rivals Roma mentioned as being particularly eager to secure his services, as per the Sunday Post.
Since then, however, the player has signed a contract extension in Glasgow, and has committed his future to Steven Gerrard’s men until at least 2024.
Should we be worried about Barisic leaving this summer?
Rangers hold all the cards in this one.
Having only recently tied Barisic down to a new deal, they are under absolutely no obligation to sell unless they want to – and that means that they can demand a premium fee from any potential suitors.
Put it this way – the £7 million being touted earlier this year almost certainly wouldn’t be enough to tempt Rangers into letting go of one of their most prized assets.
Barisic’s own agent has admitted that he expects the star to remain with the Gers until at least 2021, and if the club is keen to keep him and he is unwilling to push for a move, then it’s hard to see how this one has any hope of getting off the ground.
We at Ibrox News would be surprised if Barisic leaves this summer.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox View: Stats suggest Bassey could challenge for Rangers starting role in near future.