According to sources who spoke to Football Insider, Rangers are trying to sign FC Twente left-back Gijs Smal this month as their prospects of signing Josh Doig are fading.
Smal and Doig have been the prime targets for the Glasgow giants, who are prioritizing the acquisition of a left-back who can immediately fit into Philippe Clement’s starting lineup.
However, Marseille have had a late-night bid accepted by Hellas Verona for Doig, 21, after he reached terms on a four-and-a-half-year deal with the French club running until 2028.
Rangers, who had begun early talks about a move for the former Hibernian star and were optimistic a deal could be reached, are severely hurt by this.
They are now focusing on obtaining Smal from FC Twente before to the deadline of February 1st.
Since the 26-year-old’s contract with the Dutch team expires at the end of the current campaign, the Gers may be able to sign him this month for a reduced price.
They might decide to hold off on offering him a contract to come to Ibrox until he becomes a free agent in order to avoid having to pay Twente a fee.
A calf injury left the Dutchman out of the opening eight weeks of the season, but he has since started six of the last eight league games for the Reds.
Smal had a fantastic season the previous year, recording the most assists of any player in the league with 10 in the Eredivisie in addition to his two goals.
In 2020, he signed a three-year contract as a free agent from Volendam to play for Twente.
Meanwhile, Barisic’s deal with the Glasgow giants is set to expire at the end of the campaign.
Early in the January transfer window, the Gers also had a bid for a left-back thwarted. According to Football Insider, on January 11, they had an offer turned down for Owen Beck, a 21-year-old left-back for Liverpool.
After the Christmas break, Rangers, who currently lead the league, will play Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup on January 20.
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