Sources: Rangers now want to sign Gijs Smal as terms agreed on four-and-a-half-year deal by rivals
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Sources: Rangers now want to sign Gijs Smal as terms agreed on four-and-a-half-year deal by rivals

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Rangers are pursuing a move to sign FC Twente left-back Gijs Smal this month as their chances of landing Josh Doig collapse, sources have told Football Insider.

The Glasgow giants are prioritising the capture of a left-back capable of slotting straight into Philippe Clement's starting XI and their top targets have been Smal and Doig.

However, Marseille have had a late-night bid accepted by Hellas Verona for Doig, 21, after he agreed terms on a four-and-a-half-year deal with the French club running until 2028.

Rangers

That is a huge blow to Rangers, who opened preliminary discussions over a move for the former Hibernian star and were hopeful a deal could be done.

Now, they are turning their attention to prising Smal from FC Twente before the 1st February cut-off.

The 26-year-old's deal with the Dutch side is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning the Gers could secure him on a cut-price fee this month.

It is believed they could opt to wait until he becomes a free agent and attempt to offer him a deal to come to Ibrox without paying Twente a fee.

A calf injury ruled the Dutchman out of the first eight weeks of the season, but he has since started six of the last eight league games for the Reds.

Smal had an excellent campaign last season, where he bagged two goals and 10 assists in the Eredivisie - the highest number of assists across all players in the league that season.

He moved to Twente as a free agent in 2020 from Volendam on a three-year deal.

Rangers remain eager to recruit in the left-back position with the futures of both Ridvan Yilmaz and Borna Barisic unclear.

Sources told Football Insider (10 January) that Yilmaz has held talks with Serie A side Hellas Verona, who are making progress on either a loan or permanent move.

Meanwhile, Barisic's deal with the Glasgow giants is set to expire at the end of the campaign.

The Gers also had a move for a left-back knocked back earlier in the January window, with Football Insider revealing (11 January) that they had an offer for 21-year-old Liverpool left-back Owen Beck rejected.

Rangers sit second in the league and next face Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup on 20 January after the winter break.

In other news, Sources: Rangers offer for 21-year-old Liverpool starlet rejected.

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