Rangers boss Steven Gerrard says he has held ‘low level’ talks with Borna Barisic’s agent amid interest from the likes of Serie A giants Roma, as quoted by the Scottish Herald.
Barisic has enjoyed an outstanding first half of the season starring both in the Premiership and the Europa League, naturally bringing speculation about his future.
His agent recently told RomaPress that touted interest from Roma was genuine, and Gerrard has now backed up those claims. However, rather than admitting defeat, he’s looking to sign the 27-year-old to a new deal.
“That’s true,” Gerrard said of the reports regarding Roma, as quoted by the Scottish Herald. “There has been interest in Borna and there has been for a long time, even when his form wasn’t in a place where it is right now.
“We have no ambition to move him on or to sell him. He is the same as every other player at Rangers. They all have a price, of course they do. I’m not going to completely shut it down, but he’s a player I want 100 per cent, that we need 100 per cent and we don’t want him to go anywhere.
“I’m in contact with and I’m close enough to the agent, we’ve had dialogue over the last couple of weeks…I would say there is low-level talks in terms of trying to get him to extend here because we are pleased with the job he’s done so far.”
Verdict
It’s little surprise that a club the size of Roma have identified Barisic as a player of interest.
The left-back has been a revelation this season, both in defence and attack. He’s barely put a foot wrong at the back and his top-quality deliveries from the left flank have seen him register 13 assists in all competitions – more than any other Gers player.
There should be no thoughts of cashing in here. The manager is right with his assertion that ‘we need him 100 per cent’.
His inclusion in the starting XI allows Rangers to play in a dynamic way that simply isn’t feasible when the likes of Jon Flanagan and Andy Halliday are filling in. Also often the designated set-piece taker, he’s a vital cog in the machine that’s gearing up for the Premiership run-in.
Barisic will remain at Ibrox for the rest of the season, but if the club can tie him to an extension, it would be a massive coup.
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