Ajax target Calvin Bassey as Lisandro Martinez replacement

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Ajax target Calvin Bassey as Lisandro Martinez replacement

Ajax have identified Rangers defender Calvin Bassey as their ideal replacement for Manchester United bound Lisandro Martinez, 90min understands.

Bassey was one of the standout performers in the Gers side that reached the 2021/22 Europa League final, making 15 appearances and earning a spot in the tournament's team of the season. This form has caught the eye of a number of clubs, with Ajax and Brighton both registering an interest.

90min understands that Brighton have identified Bassey as a potential replacement for Marc Cucurella in their backline, and while they are still in the hunt for the 22-year-old, Ajax have jumped to the front of the queue in recent days.

That's because they have identified the Nigerian as an ideal replacement for Martinez. 90min reported this week that the Argentine defender is set to join Man Utd for a €55m fee - €50m guaranteed with €5m in add-ons - with the club planning the player's medical ahead of joining the rest of the squad in Australia.

As well as Bassey, we understand that Ajax have also looked at Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykola Matviyenko. The Ukrainian international has also been tentatively linked with a move to Arsenal.