Rangers are reportedly in a transfer battle with Premier League clubs over Vitesse Arnhem defender Danhilo Doekhi as the cub consider potential replacements for Swedish international Filip Helander.
That’s according to Football Insider, who claim the Gers have one eye on the Dutch defender, 22, who has helped Vitesse maintain the best defensive record in the Eredivisie this season.
According to that report the Holland U21s defender would be available for £1.5m this summer and would be a cheap alternative should Helander move on.
According to reports in the ex-Bologna defender’s homeland [Sportbladet], Helander, 28, is wanted by Premier League sides Aston Villa and Leicester City ahead of the new season.
Football Insider have since also claimed that Doekhi – who is a product of Ajax’s youth academy – is also wanted by Premier League sides Newcastle United and Fulham.
Doekhi has played all but two league fixtures for the Dutch side this season in an impressive campaign which has helped the club to fourth in Holland’s top tier.
Any move for Doekhi also has shades of Celtic’s £2.5m move for one time FC Groningen defender Virgil van Dijk in 2013.
The big Dutch defender joined the ranks at Parkhead before moving to Southampton for a reported £11.5m fee two years later [Guardian].
The defender – who is now considered amongst the best defenders in the world – would go on to sign for Liverpool in a £75m move; a world-record fee for a defender.
Should Helander move on Danhilo Doekhi isn’t the only defender who’s been linked to Ibrox as a potential replacement.