Borna Barisic has now joined the list of Rangers players attracting interest from some of the top leagues of the world. Reports from Daily Record mention that Italian giants AS Roma are keeping track of the left-back. Steven Gerrard later went on to confirm that there has been an interest in the Croatian star.
Gerrard gives a hint about contract talks with Barisic
Gerrard was asked about speculations linking Barisic to Roma to which he said, ”That’s true. There has been interest in Borna, and there has been for a long time, even when his form wasn’t in a place where it is right now. I’m close enough to his agent, and we’ve had dialogue over the last couple of weeks. We realise where he is with his contract, and I would say there are low-level talks in terms of trying to get him to extend here because we are pleased with the job he’s done so far.”
”We have no ambition to move him on or to sell him. He is the same as every other player at Rangers. They all have a price, of course, they do. I’m not going to completely shut it down, but he’s a player I want 100 per cent, that we need 100 per cent and we don’t want him to go anywhere.”
The gaffer also indicated that the club had started some talk regarding a contract extension for the Croatian international. Gerrard has always maintained that every player has his price tag, so it remains to be seen what kind of valuation the Gers will have for the left-back.
The latest interest in some of the Rangers players shows how much the club has come up in the last two seasons under the English manager. Glen Kamara is attracting attention from Premier League clubs. So is Alfredo Morelos. James Tavernier is another one who is linked with a move to English top flight.
The importance of Barisic this season
The resurgence of Barisic has been a big boost for Gerrard and his teammates this season. The Croatian struggled with the physicality of the league and missed plenty of games due to injury last season. This season, the fullback rediscovered himself and has put in terrific displays on both halves of the pitch. Barisic’s crossing has been spell bounding on most occasions, and he has turned out to be a smart and reliable defender as well.
Croatia’s national team manager Zlatko Dalic made it clear that he is his first choice left-back going into the 2020 Euros. Last season, Barisic was being kept out of the team by Jon Flanagan who is not even a left-back by trade. Hopefully, Rangers would be able to tie Barisic down on a new contract and extend his stay.
