By Kevin Phillips

21st May, 2022 | 3:00pm

Calvin Bassey tipped to complete Rangers transfer after source's update - pundit

Calvin Bassey will be “very tempted” by a potential move from Rangers to the Premier League this summer, according to Kevin Phillips.

The former Sunderland striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 22-year-old defender will be looking to emulate the success of Virgil van Dijk – who swapped Celtic for Southampton in 2015.

An Ibrox source has told this site (21 May) that Rangers are lining up new contract talks with Bassey as they look to reward him for his integral status in the team.

It is understood that Aston Villa, Fulham, and West Ham are all interested in the Nigerian.

The former Leicester trainee is out of contract in May 2024.

Bassey turned in a dominating performance as Rangers suffered penalty shoot-out heartbreak against Frankfurt in the Europa League final on Wednesday (18 May).

Phillips suggested the 22-year-old’s performances in Europe show he is ready for a move to English football.

“If a Premier League club shows an interest, then he’ll be very tempted,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.

“He’ll be looking at someone like Van Dijk, who came down from Scotland and took his game to another level. He’s probably the best defender in the world.

“When you’ve got such ability and quality like Bassey, teams are going to sit up and take notice.

“Rangers are going to have a real battle on their hands to keep him around. It’d be a shame to lose him but ultimately these players want to be playing in the Premier League.

“He’s done it in Europe.

“That’s a great proving ground for coming to English football and succeeding.”

In other news, pundit claims Rangers already have next Nathan Patterson at Ibrox what he’s seen from “standout” teen.