“A tremendous signing” – Ex-Crystal Palace ace wanted Tottenham to move for record-making Super Eagles star

Many of Europe’s wealthiest clubs nurtured an interest in the Nigeria international before he made a sweeping move to Amsterdam this week

Former Crystal Palace midfielder Darren Ambrose has hailed Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey as a ‘tremendous signing’ for Ajax Amsterdam.

Bassey completed a €26.5 million (including performance-related add-ons) switch from Glasgow Rangers to Ajax on Wednesday to become the most expensive Nigerian defender in history.

The amount realised on the 22-year-old is also the highest Rangers have ever received for a player sale. And it is also the second biggest transfer fee for a player departing the Scottish Premiership.

 

Interest in Bassey

But for a long while, Ajax were not in the picture for Bassey.

Following the full-back’s impressive displays in the Europa League, including a man-of-the-match display in the final against Frankfurt, it was clear he would not stay at Rangers for much longer.

Several English Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Wolves, and Brentford, were the youngster’s leading admirers.

From Germany, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were also credited with an interest in the Leicester City academy product.

Former Birmingham ace Darren Ambrose, a confessed Tottenham Hotspur fan, admits he also wanted Spurs to make a move for Bassey.

But with Antonio Conte blessed with the trio of Emerson Royal, Sergio Reguilon, and Ivan Perisic (who can play left wing-back), Tottenham were not in the market for a left full-back.

And once Ajax sold Argentine centre-back Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United, the Eredivisie champions became the favourites for Bassey’s signature.

The Dutch giants eventually got Bassey to commit to a multi-million euro, five-year contract on Wednesday, July 20.

And Ambrose is convinced that Ajax have acquired an excellent defender for only a fraction of his actual value.

“I watched him in the Europa League, especially the final against Frankfurt; I thought he was outstanding. I think this is a tremendous signing for Ajax,” the footballer-turn-pundit told talkSPORT as per Spurs-web.

“The games I did watch, he stood out, and I was, as a Spurs fan, thinking, ‘we should go for Calvin Bassey’.

“They (Ajax) have just sold Martinez to Manchester United, so it has freed up space. At £23 million, that is a snip. It’s a pearl (of a signing) for me.”

Bassey departed Scotland after two years and with 65 games as a professional under his belt for the Light Blues.

The versatile full-back will wear the number 33 jersey at his new club.