Glasgow Rangers are reportedly plotting a swoop to bring a new defender to Ibrox in the upcoming transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to The Sun, Rangers are one of a number of clubs keen on a deal to sign left-back Emmanuel Longelo ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The report claims that he has not been deemed good enough to play in the Premier League for West Ham at this point in his career, with a host of teams now ready to offer him an escape from the London Stadium.

Calvin Bassey 2.0

Signing a young left-back from a Premier League club... sounds rather familiar to Rangers supporters.

Steven Gerrard brought Bassey in from Leicester after he failed to make a breakthrough at the King Power and he has been a relevation in Glasgow.

He enjoyed an excellent campaign in the season just gone and is now being linked with transfers at a potential price of £25m, with the price tag illustrating how impressive his performances were.

In Longelo, Gio van Bronckhorst can now find the next Bassey by unearthing another talent from a Premier League side.

The Athletic's Roshane Thomas previously claimed that he has "serious potential" and he showed glimpses of that in his performances for the Hammers in 2021/22.

David Moyes gave him the chance to catch the eye in the Europa League against Dinamo Zagreb in December 2021. His display was dubbed “very impressive” by journalist Jack Rosser as he made two tackles, one interception and three clearances whilst playing at left-back.

He also impressed whilst playing in the Football League Trophy for the club's U23 side. Longelo averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.00 across games against Gillingham, Ipswich and Colchester - three League One outfits.

In those games, the 21-year-old created two chances per game as he showed that he can make an impact in the final third by bursting forward down the flank. He also made 2.4 tackles and interceptions per match as he won 54% of his duels, proving that he can contribute at both ends of the pitch.

Longelo, however, has not been able to enjoy an extended run of games at senior level and that is why Rangers can offer him. Bassey thrived off playing week-in-week-out in 2021/22 - as shown by his current valuation - and the Hammers gem can use that as inspiration to come to Ibrox and follow in his footsteps.

AND in other news, "Was told..": Journo makes big Rangers transfer claim that'll leave supporters excited...