Rangers endured a significant financial loss for failing to make it to the group stages of the Champions League and according to Italian journalist Gabriel Antoniazzi on PLZ Soccer, they might sanction the transfer of Borna Barisic amid long-standing interest from AS Roma.
The Gers have made hefty spending in recent years, particularly after Steven Gerrard’s appointment as the Ibrox chief. They got their reward too by clinching the league crown last season, but the crisis is now looming large due to monetary constraints given the limitations of the Scottish giants.
The Bears have roped in Nnamdi Ofoborh, Fashion Sakala and John Lundstram on Bosman to bolster the side during the summer window. Meanwhile, the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Glen Kamara are drawing attention from top European leagues and the gaffer might eventually let them leave to balance the books before the window is slammed shut in a couple of weeks’ time.
Barisic joined Rangers from Osijek back in 2018 for a fee of around £2.2m. Despite a slow start due to fitness woes, the Croatian exhibited his excellence with marauding runs, cut insides, pinpoints crosses and exquisite set-piece attributes. His defensive game improved with time and the 28-year-old left-fullback grabbed the limelight when Roma made an approach to secure his services midway through the 2019-20 campaign.
Time For Rangers To Bid Adieu To Barisic?
However, the player snubbed the Serie A giants and extended his Ibrox stay until the summer of 2024. The Light Blues, therefore, should look to make a profit if the Giallorossi reignite their interest in the coming days. His egress would be a massive blow considering the experience and expertise he brings to the side down the wide, but the emergence of Calvin Bassey might help them move on in the long run.
Roma has tied down Matías Viña from Palmeiras following the injury misfortune of Leonardo Spinazzola while representing Italy in the EURO 2020. The Achilles tendon rupture has ruled him out for at least six months and the club might explore the market once more to leave no stone unturned towards revival under Jose Mourinho.
Bassey had his minutes limited during the previous campaign due to Barisic’s excellence week in week out. Disciplinary issues leading to suspension hindered his progress, but the display against Livingston and Dunfermline so far this term must have relieved the manager with a long season ahead. Teenage sensation Nathan Patterson could also be tried out on the left and it is to be seen now how the Gers overcome the conundrum both on and off the pitch.
