Aston Villa target Calvin Bassey has ‘got everything’ as the race for the Rangers defender’s services begins to hot up, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move away from Ibrox in recent weeks after enjoying an outstanding season with the Glasgow giants.

What is the latest news involving Bassey?

Bassey joined Rangers from boyhood club Leicester City on a free transfer in July 2020 and largely played back-up to first-choice left-back Borna Barisic during his maiden campaign.

However, the Nigeria international enjoyed a breakout season in 2021/22, establishing himself at centre-back alongside Conor Goldson as the Gers reached the Europa League final and claimed the Scottish Cup.

And it seems as though Bassey’s dominant displays at the heart of defence have caught the eye of multiple admirers.

According to The Telegraph, Steven Gerrard is eager to be reunited with the versatile star at Villa Park after signing him for Rangers, while the Daily Record claim Fulham, Wolves and Brentford are also keen.

Gerrard is believed to have identified centre-back as an area of weakness he’s keen to address when the market reopens next month, and Bassey could be on his wish list.

What has Jones said about Bassey?

Jones believes Bassey’s recent displays in Rangers’ two cup finals will have ‘convinced some Premier League clubs’ that he is a player worthy of signing ahead of next term.

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In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “Calvin Bassey has got such a high ceiling at the moment; he's got everything.

“And from watching him in those big fixtures for Rangers, he will have convinced some Premier League clubs that this guy's absolutely worth getting on board this season.”

Would Bassey be a good signing?

Bassey was one of the standout performers in Rangers’ narrow defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final, earning lavish praise from pundit Owen Hargreaves.

“Calvin Bassey, my word, what a performance,” Hargreaves told BT Sport following the penalty shootout loss at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

“That was astonishing, the energy and effort. Everything about his game was fantastic. Anyone watching that will be thinking: ‘That’s the kind of player I want in my team’.”

And Bassey has previously been lauded as ‘outstanding’ and ‘fantastic’ by Gerrard, who claimed he was ‘proud’ of the defender after stepping up to the mark against Livingston.

It remains to be seen if the duo will be reunited at Villa over the coming months, but Bassey is surely ready to take the next step in his career.