By George Overhill

10th Jun, 2022 | 6:10pm

Rangers defender Borna Barisic expected to be subject of Trabzonspor bid

Rangers are likely to receive a bid from Trabzonspor for Borna Barisic as they have been scouting him on Croatia duty, according to Football Scotland.

The Turkish champions have reportedly not made an offer yet, having watched the 29-year-old for his country in the Nations League during the current international fixtures.

But they are “likely to come to the table with an offer” after they see him in action again against Denmark on Friday night [10 June].

The Gers will push to receive around £4million for the full-back and are not interested in chasing a sale if that price is not reached, while Barisic “remains focused on Rangers and returning to Glasgow for pre-season”.

Watford had a bid of £2million turned down in January, and any money brought in for him now could go towards Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s summer budget.

The club have been linked with a move for Stoke’s Josh Tymon, but Rangers Review writer Derek Clark reported on Thursday [9 June] that they were not in the market for a left-back.

Money talks

The club appear to be happy with their options at the position with Calvin Bassey and Barisic, and unless a club makes them an offer they can’t refuse that should remain the case.

There has been interest in both but neither player appears to be pushing for a move so it will need to be in the club’s interest to let go of either.

Former Osijek man Barisic endured some difficult periods during the 2021/22 season, particularly after the 3-0 defeat in the Old Firm derby at Parkhead in February.

But assuming the record-breaking deal it would take to prize Bassey out of Ibrox doesn’t materialise Barisic is a solid back-up.

With John Souttar arriving on a free transfer and Connor Goldson surprisingly extending his stay at the club it would be expected that those two fill the two central positions.

Nigerian international Bassey is not going to be a player who comes off the bench after the outstanding campaign he’s just had so the left-back role should be his if he is happy with it.

So if Trabzonspor or any other club make it worth the Bears’ while to part with a second-string player he could go, but only if it would be cheaper to replace him, such as with an academy option.

Spending significant money on the likes of Tymon would only really be logical if the club were expecting to let Bassey go for a big fee, as according to The Sun he would cost £5million to sign.

In other Rangers news, former coach Michael Beale eulogised a key first team player who has left the club.