Former Rangers defender Calvin Bassey is set to end his nightmare spell at Ajax and join Fulham, but unfortunately for Rangers, this move will not benefit them financially. Bassey, a Nigeria international, will be leaving the Eredivisie this summer for a switch to London, less than a year after leaving Rangers in a club-record deal worth £19 million to the Dutch champions. Expectations were high for the 23-year-old following his crucial role in helping Rangers reach the Europa League final. However, he failed to replicate his success with the Scottish side in the Netherlands.
Fulham is now poised to sign Bassey for around €21 million, hoping to kickstart his career in England under Marco Silva. However, it appears that Rangers will not receive a sell-on payday from this transfer due to a contract quirk. When Bassey left Ibrox, additional add-ons of €5 million and a sell-on clause of 10 percent were negotiated. However, the sell-on clause would only be activated if Bassey was sold for a higher amount than the fee paid by Ajax.
Given that Fulham is unlikely to surpass the fee paid by Ajax, it seems Rangers will miss out on any future financial gain from Bassey’s transfer. Nevertheless, the fee received from Ajax remains a club record outgoing for Rangers, exceeding the £16.5 million package that saw Nathan Patterson join Everton.
While this news may disappoint Rangers fans hoping for a financial boost from Bassey’s career progression, it is a reminder of the uncertainties and complexities involved in player contracts and transfer deals. Football clubs often negotiate various clauses and add-ons to protect their interests and potentially maximize their profits. In this case, Rangers may have missed out on a potential windfall due to the specific terms agreed upon when Bassey left the club.
Nonetheless, it is important to acknowledge Bassey’s move to Fulham as an opportunity for him to start afresh and reignite his career. The defender will have the chance to showcase his abilities under the guidance of Marco Silva, who is known for his expertise in developing young talents. Fulham, currently playing in the Championship, will provide Bassey with a platform to prove himself and potentially attract attention from bigger clubs in the future.
While Rangers may not benefit financially from Bassey’s move to Fulham, they can take pride in having nurtured his talents and sold him for a substantial fee to Ajax. The club has a track record of producing promising young players who go on to succeed at higher levels, which is a testament to their scouting and development strategies.
As Bassey prepares for a new chapter in his career, it remains to be seen whether he can fulfill his early potential and establish himself as a top-level defender. The move to Fulham presents an opportunity for him to make a fresh start and prove his worth in English football. Rangers, on the other hand, will continue their quest for success, building on their strong performances in recent seasons and looking to develop the next generation of talented players who can make an impact at the highest level.
