Borna Barisic wants to stay at Rangers but may be forced out as Serie A side joins race
There is new interest from Serie A in Rangers defender Borna Barisic as Trabzonspor prepare to “step up” their bid, according to the Daily Record.
The Turkish champions are locked onto the Croatian as they look to improve their left-back spot in order to secure a spot in the Champions League group stage.
Fotomac in Turkey had reported that an official offer had already been made for the 29-year-old, but the Record now say this was “premature”.
The bid is expected to arrive any time soon, while an unnamed Italian side are also in the mix for his signature.
Barisic reportedly prefers to stay at Ibrox but “could be forced into a rethink” if the Gers accept a bid for him.
He has two years remaining on his contract and Football Scotland had previously reported that the club want £4million if they are to sell him this window.
Exit bound?
Whether it is Turkey or Italy a club is going to have to come up with an offer big enough to take the Bears’ interest this move is to happen.
Player and club were happy to continue as things were before the the Super Lig winners’ interest suggested there could be movement.
The Athletic’s Light Blues reporter Jordan Campbell expressed doubt on Twitter that the requisite money would come from Turkey to get Rangers to move him on.
It will depend on who in Serie A has joined the chase whether the prospects of a bigger offer have increased.
The top teams have some financial muscle but even the likes of deposed champions Inter are having to cut costs.
If Barisic is happy to be largely a back-up option at Ibrox then he can fulfil that role pretty well, so unless Giovanni van Bronckhorst wants to upgrade him and would be happy to get some cash in now the club can sit back and wait for the offers.
If nothing interests them there is no need to make a move at this point.
In other Rangers news, a replacement for a club stalwart is ready and waiting to be signed if they can sort out a bid.