Rangers target will now ‘leave for nothing’ as Ibrox outfit saved from £2.5m fee.

FC Twente might have made roughly £2.5 million by selling Gijs Smal last summer, but the Eredivisie star is now set to ‘leave for nothing’ as Celtic join Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers in the hunt for his services.

After leading the Eredivisie assist charts in 2022/23 and assisting 10 goals for his teammates, the highly-rated left-back has struggled in the current season.

Gijs Smal missed the first few months due to injuries. And, despite recovering to full fitness before Christmas, his form has frequently fallen short of expectations in recent months. Despite this, many clubs, both domestic and international, continue to pursue a 26-year-old player who has the potential to excel on a free transfer.

Rangers now face Celtic battle for Gijs Smal

Rangers are still interested, having considered Smal during the January window. Feyenoord was highlighted in this week’s update, which is hardly surprising given the publication’s location in Rotterdam.

Rangers may face competition from Celtic for a left-sided full-back, after Alexandro Bernabei joined Internacional on Thursday. Twente may lose one of their prized assets for nothing.

“I do think that clubs that are really interested in Gijs Smal,” Dutch reporter and Twente expert Leon ten Voorde tells TC Tubantia’s Warming Up program.

“(Not obtaining a move last summer) was a major disappointment for him. Also for Twente. If he leaves, he will not have to pay a transfer fee.

Eredivisie Ace will be available for free.

Smal was apparently valued at roughly six million euros in a prior round. Even if Twente had been able to sell him back in 2023, Ten Voorde believes the Enschede club would have been lucky to receive even ‘half’ of that price.

“(£2.5 million) would have been a nice amount,” the reporter says. “If he leaves (this summer) – which is not yet clear – he will leave for nothing.”

As Ten Voorde mentions, Twente has not given up on agreeing to new terms with Smal, even if it is merely to prevent him from leaving on a free transfer.

Rangers are interested in APOEL loanee Jefte Vital from Fluminense as a replacement for Borna Barisic, who is currently off of form. Ridvan Yilmaz has established himself as first-choice under Philippe Clement.

Rangers will face Hibernian on Sunday after a 2-2 draw at Benfica in the Europa League. They are pursuing the title.

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