Following their disappointing Champions League exit earlier this week, it seems as if Rangers will have to sell some key players this summer, and Borna Barisic could be one of the first to leave Ibrox, with Roma being tipped to sign the Croatian.

What's the word?

After missing out on the reported £40m bonus of reaching the Champions League group stages, Rangers no longer look to be in the best financial position, especially when you consider Steven Gerrard's net spend during his time at the club.

Therefore, it was always likely that some of the top performers in his squad would be linked with moves away, and it seems as if Roma could test Rangers' resolve with a bid for starting left-back Barisic before the transfer window shuts.

According to Italian journalist Gabriel Antoniazzi on PLZ Soccer, Roma have been keen on the 28-year-old in the past 12 months, and Rangers could sell him this summer as they look to make a profit on the £2.2m they paid to sign him from NK Osijek in 2018.

Could Barisic leave Rangers?

Considering that Barisic's contract at Ibrox is set to run until 2024, and he is currently valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, Rangers are in a strong position when it comes to selling him and would almost certainly make a profit on the left-back should he join a club such as Roma this summer.

Gerrard also has two youngsters in Calvin Bassey and Nathan Patterson who could potentially fill in for the Croatian if he were to leave Ibrox, and that could go some way towards solving the problem of fitting Patterson and James Tavernier in the same starting side.

However, Barisic has proven himself to be a top-quality left-back during his time at Ibrox, with former Rangers ace Alex Rae labelling him "terrific" in 2020 amid links with Tottenham Hotspur.

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During his three years at Ibrox, the left-back has contributed an impressive seven goals and 32 assists in 115 appearances for the Teddy Bears, so it would undoubtedly be a blow to lose him. Rangers fans will no doubt be frustrated that their side blew such a good chance to reach the Champions League group stage, and that they may have to cash in on key players such as Barisic as a result, thus worsening the mood.

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