Outgoing Rangers star Calvin Bassey is not yet able to make his debut for Dutch giants Ajax as work permit issues see the Nigerian international sidelined despite his megabucks move.
Ajax will pay around £23m to bring the ex-Leicester City kid to the Netherlands in a record-breaking move which shattered the £16m Everton could pay for Nathan Patterson.
But whilst Bassey has formed part of a summer of heavy spending in Holland, the player is not yet able to take to the pitch in an Ajax shirt.
This is why the defender could not play in Ajax’s 3-1 victory over Ukrainian side Shakhthar Donetsk in a pre-season friendly clash in Amsterdam.
Ajax technical manager Gerry Hamstra confirmed this to Ziggo Sport in an interview ahead of the clash as he also detailed the expectations the Dutch club have for Calvin Bassey.
“His work permit still has to be arranged,” said Hamstra [Ajax Showtime].
“But he did play a Europa League final. He has made great progress from Leicester City to Glasgow and we think he can do even more.
“We think he can be used right away, but there are more in the wide selection that we have. He too has to fight for it. He is a boy who immediately gives us qualities and also has specific qualities.”
Rangers waste no time reinvesting Ajax Calvin Bassey funds
Rangers have wasted no time in reinvesting part of the Calvin Bassey back into their squad after the transfer to Ajax was arranged.
First, in came Liverpool centre-back Ben Davies on an initial £3m deal, the 26-year-old Englishman joins on a four-year deal and comes highly rated from the English Premier League.
Then the Ibrox side moved to sign a direct left-back replacement in Besiktas wing-back Ridvan Yilmaz, the Gers reportedly beating a host of top clubs to the 21-year-old’s signature.
According to reports, Rangers will pay an initial £3.4m to bring the Turkish international to Ibrox and the Gers could wind up paying up to £5m with Yilmaz signing a five-year contract.
Meanwhile, an ex-Man United kid has been opening up on his Rangers ambitions after being spotted at an open Ibrox training day.