Agent: Irons moved for Ajax man

West Ham moved to do a deal for Calvin Bassey in the summer before he left Rangers to join Ajax, according to his agent.

Aston Villa are also said to have taken a close look at the centre-back, prior to his move to the Netherlands.

Bassey joined Rangers for just £230,000 from Leicester and he went on to make 65 appearances for the Scottish side; he joined Ajax for a fee of just under £23m.

However, it appears that the Hammers and Villa were both interested in signing the Nigeria international in the summer.

Ajax are said to have been the only club who were willing to meet Rangers’ asking price, however, while there was also said to be an enquiry from Arsenal.

His agent discussed the interest with Own Goal Nigeria, per Sport Witness, and he namechecked the Irons as being interested.

He said: “Arsenal contacted us and we let Rangers know, but they did not follow up.

“We also had interest from Aston Villa and West Ham, but in the end, Ajax presented the best offer not in terms of money, but for his development as they promised regular employment.”

This does make sense, when one considers that the Irons chased a number of centre-backs in the summer and signed both Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer.