Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst is set for a busy few months working alongside Ross Wilson in his first summer transfer window in charge of the Glasgow giants.
The Dutchman joined after the end of last summer's market and was backed in the January window as Aaron Ramsey, Amad Diallo, James Sands and Mateusz Zukowski all came in.
One of the first pieces of business he may need to worry about is the possible departure of defender Calvin Bassey.
Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has backed the Nigeria international to reunite with his former manager Steven Gerrard. He recently told GIVEMESPORT: “Bassey is clearly highly rated by Villa. I think that deal will happen; I can see it happening. Obviously, [Diego] Carlos coming in might change the picture, but it’s clear Villa rate him highly, and for me, it’s just a no-brainer.
“The way he played in the Europa League, he looks like a player that’s just naturally ready to step up and perform.”
Unearth Bassey 2.0
If the defender does end up at Villa, Rangers could unearth Bassey 2.0 in a deal for left-back Matthew Sorinola, who was touted with a move to Ibrox last year.
Like the current Gers man, who came through the ranks at Leicester, he is eligible to play for England or Nigeria at international level and can come in as a full-back option for van Bronckhorst, which is why the club must now return for his services and agree a deal.
He spent the 2020/21 campaign in the first team at MK Dons in League One and caught the eye with a string of impressive displays.
In 34 appearances, he registered four assists and created an eye-catching eight 'big chances' as he showcased his ability to provide an attacking threat from left wing-back.
This shows that he has the ability to burst forward down the left flank in attack, which is something Gers fans have been able to watch with their own English/Nigerian defender this year as Bassey registered three assists in the Premiership.
Former Dons manager Russell Martin once took the time to hail the gem's talent, saying: “He's technically right up there with anyone in the squad – he wants to play. I love his calmness too - for a young lad, he's so composed.
“He defended really well. People may question his size but when you're as brave as he is to play with the ball and get in people's faces and shut them down, he has so much ability and potential.”
At the age of 21, he has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and he can join with a view to him improving over time, rather than being expected to be the finished article straight away.
Rangers have already enjoyed success in bringing Bassey over as a young left-back from an English club in a similar deal and they can now repeat that trick by signing Sorinola, albeit he would be arriving from Belgian side Royale Union Saint Gilloise after joining them from MK Dons.
Van Bronckhorst can take his time with Sorinola and help him to fulfil his potential and become a first-team regular at Ibrox, with the gem potentially following in Bassey's footsteps at left-back.