Rangers in talks over new deal for Borna Barisic as Philippe Clement stance emerges
Rangers are in talks with Borna Barisic about renewing his contract at Ibrox after Philippe Clement made it clear he wants him to stay, according to Football Scotland.
Writing on their website (3 November), the Scottish news outlet report that talks are ongoing about extending the 30-year-old’s stay at Rangers, with his current contract due to expire in the summer.
Barisic is free to speak to foreign clubs as of January 1st about a free transfer away, but Clement wants to keep him at Ibrox as he considers his experience valuable to the squad and talks are ongoing between the Rangers board and the player’s representatives.
“Borna Barisic remains locked in talks with the Rangers hierarchy about a contract extension amid interest from the likes of Roma and Watford,” they wrote.
“The left-back, 30, will be free to speak with other clubs in January as his current deals runs out in 2024. That would mean he’d be available on a free transfer which would represent disappointing business for the Ibrox club.
“Manager Phillipe Clement wants to keep the player around with his experience considered valuable and Football Scotland understands talks are continuing as both parties seek clarity on what’s next for the defender.”
Decision time
Barisic isn’t a player who is the most popular at Ibrox, and not many fans would be particularly fussed if he were to move on in the summer.
But losing him on a free transfer would be a big blow as he is still good enough to do a job and we could certainly get a decent fee if we sold him.
His age has to be a factor in the decision too as he isn’t a spring chicken and won’t be getting much better in the near future, plus the fact we already have Ridvan Yilmaz in the squad means we are prepped for his exit.
However, keeping him around as experienced back-up for another year or two would be an ideal situation as we have other areas of the squad that are in far more pressing need of being upgraded and it would solve a headache.
If Clement wants him then the board should definitely act to get it done, but we have to make sure we don’t leave ourselves in a bad position in the future too.
In other Rangers news, Dundee boss demands rule change after “Bizarre” moment in loss v Rangers.