The agent of Rangers’ Croatian international full-back Borna Barisic has pledged the defender’s future to Ibrox until 2021 at the earliest.
Despite previously claiming that “Rangers won’t be able to keep Borna after the season he’s had”, Ives Cakarun is now claiming that he’ll be at Ibrox until at least next summer.
Barisic signed a new contract back in January tying him to Glasgow until 2024 amid links with Serie A sides Napoli and Roma [Area Napoli] and Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur [90min.com].
Speaking at the beginning of March, Cakarun suggested Barisic’s days at Rangers were numbered.
“Rangers won’t be able to keep Borna after the season he’s had, even though he’s just signed a new contract,” said Cakarun [Daily Mail].
“Borna’s priority right now is Rangers, who have made significant progress this season under the management of Steven Gerrard.
“There was interest in him during the winter transfer window – the strongest came from Napoli, but Rangers turned down all offers because they wanted to keep one of their best players.
“They value Borna a lot and wanted to win something with him because Rangers haven’t won a trophy for a long time.
“But after the season is over and given the demand for Borna, Rangers are sure to start considering new offers. It will be a completely new position for Borna.
“His performances this season have opened up a whole, new horizon for him.”
However, speaking to Calcio Napoli 24, Cakarun appeared to completely backtrack on these comments and suggest Borna will be at Ibrox until at least the end of next season.
“Napoli?” said Cakarun. “Borna is concentrated only on the path with Rangers until next summer [2021].”
The comments of the agent come amid a global footballing shut down which could well impact player contracts and the transfer window in the summer.
Football clubs – particularly in Scotland – are reliant on gate receipts and with no football to be played will struggle to survive.
Hearts have already asked all staff to take a 50% wage cut whilst similar moves are being considered in the English Football League.
Whilst it’s refreshing to hear of Barisic’s commitment to Rangers, the Croatian may have no choice but to remain at Ibrox into 2021 once the outbreak calms down.
