“He’s quick, calm, and strong” – Gabriel Agbonlahor endorses Aston Villa’s move for Super Eagles star

The former footballer now turned pundit has had his say concerning his former club's links to a Nigerian international

Former Aston Villa attacker Gabriel Agbonlahor has revealed he is a big fan of Super Eagles and Rangers defender Calvin Bassey, impressed by the youngster's meteoric rise to prominence.

Bassey is the man of the moment in Scottish football after delivering a string of excellent performances beyond his young age.

The 22-year-old stunned many with man-of-the-match displays in the finals of the Europa League and the Scottish Cup, to shoot to the top of the shopping list of major clubs on the continent.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich have been credited with an interest, while Fulham, Wolves, and Brentford have also been linked to the Leicester City Academy product.

Aston Villa also have him on their radar, with Villa's boss Steven Gerrard looking to reunite with the defender he took to the Ibrox Stadium a couple of years ago.

Agbonlahor is not surprised that Bassey is attracting several suitors from the Premier League and the former England striker expects the promise of a bigger salary to lure the left-fullback away from Scotland.

And the 35-year-old reveals Bassey would be his first choice transfer at Aston Villa as the Nigerian's qualities indicate he would fit in right away at Villa Park.

“The problem with Rangers and Celtic is they can’t pay the money that teams in the Premier League can. Goldson’s trying to move for financial reasons,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

“What can Rangers offer Bassey? That’s the issue. He could probably get double the money at Aston Villa. I'm sure he would be reluctant to sign a new contract and see what is out there for him, to be honest.

“There will be clubs out there for him, 1000 per cent. He’s quick, calm on the ball, strong and good in the air. I’d take him at Aston Villa tomorrow. A lot of clubs in the Premier League will look at him. I’m surprised that Leicester let him go, to be honest. That’s very strange.”

A versatile defender, Bassey has done fantastic jobs at centre-back, left-back, and wing-back at different times for Glasgow Rangers.