Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the future of Glasgow Rangers defender, Calvin Bassey...

What's the word?

As per the transfer guru, writing on Twitter, the 22-year-old is edging ever closer to joining Eredivisie giants Ajax this summer, with the deal believed to be a club-record sale for the Old Firm outfit at around €22m (£19m), plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.

The respected journalist stated: "Ajax are preparing paperwork to complete Calvin Bassey deal with Ajax for €22m plus €5m add-ons, while Francisco Conceição is in Amsterdam to sign on a five-year deal, €5m release clause already triggered."

The Nigerian international had previously been linked with a reunion with former Gers boss Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, although it now appears that his future lies at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

Supporters will be devastated

From a purely business point of view, the deal represents something of a coup for the Scottish Premiership side, as they appear set to make a major profit on a player whom they signed from Leicester City for just £300k two years ago.

That being said, the three-cap gem's meteoric rise since then has seen him become a vital figure for the Glasgow side, with both supporters and the club set to be devastated at losing such a promising talent so swiftly.

Having already seen another highly-rated asset in Joe Aribo join Southampton on a £10m deal, the departure of Bassey will be another body blow for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, with it yet to be seen if the influential pair can be adequately replaced.

In the case of the left-sided defender, in particular, the club are set to lose a player who had been in imperious form during the 2021/22 campaign, putting himself firmly on the radar of club's across the continent following his strong showings, both domestically and in Europe.

That stunning purple patch saw the Italian-born talent receive particular praise for his display in the eventual defeat to RB Leipzig in the Europa League final, with talkSPORT pundit Jamie O'Hara even likening the youngster to Liverpool ace, Virgil van Dijk.

The emerging colossus had only made 14 appearances in the club's European run, as well as winning a solid 60% of his total duels.

Such an imposing, athletic presence will be sorely missed by those at Ibrox next term, with supporters seemingly questioning just how the club will be able to adequately replace him.

AND in other news: Van Bronckhorst can unearth his own Bernardo Silva with “dream” Rangers swoop for “fantastic” gem