Gijs Smal is ‘completely free to leave’ FC Twente either this month or in the summer with the Eredivisie ace one of many left-backs under consideration by Scottish Premiership giants Rangers.
As Philippe Clement’s side scour the market for a new left-sided full-back, any player on Rangers’ radar must tick a number of boxes.
Is he affordable? Is he attainable? And can he emulate the creativity of Borna Barisic, should the Croatian depart when his contract expires in July?
Tick, tick, and tick again, then, as far as Gijs Smal is concerned. He too is out of contract in the summer, with Dutch reporter Leon ten Voorde insisting that Twente will not stand in his way should Rangers step up their interest (Daily Record).
What’s more, Smal topped the Eredivisie assist charts with 10 last season, his delicious delivery from out wide reminiscent of Barisic’s own pinpoint quality.
Rangers like FC Twente ace Gijs Smal
“He also does not sign (his contract), even though he has received a proposal,” Ten Voorde tells Tubantia’s De Warming-Up podcast, Smal seemingly keen to take his future into his own hands.
“At a certain point, I think that as FC Twente you have to say; ‘Take it or leave it.’ Twente is a big club.
“He is completely free to go where he wants. If he wants to leave on a free transfer in the summer, that is up to him. It is his choice, his career, but the club is still there.”
Smal has found form to be rather fleeing this season, however, a long-term injury meaning he is yet to build on his superb performances from 2022/23.
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“The fact is that last Wednesday (a 3-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Cup) was not the first time that he did not play well,” Ten Voorde adds. “He simply has difficulty following his injury to get into the rhythm.”
Rangers could yet make a move for PSV’s own left-back, Fredrik Oppegard. The Eredivisie leaders have not ruled out selling the Norway under 21 international due to his lack of game time under Peter Bosz.
