£5m transfer twist emerges as Rangers set sights on signing FC Twente ace Gijs Smal at Ibrox

After Torino crushed Rangers’ chances of signing Josh Doig, the team may now be looking to sign full-back Gijs Smal for a cheap. This is according to The Sun.

The newspaper said on its website [January 7] that the Gers may recruit Smal of FC Twente after his contract ends in the summer, while target Doig is getting closer to joining Serie A team Torino for a fee of £3.5 million plus add-ons.

The Dutch defender was reportedly a £5 million target for Celtic last summer, but since he had not signed a contract extension, he could have left for free to join Twente.

Given that Borna Barisic’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season and Ridvan Yilmaz is close to leaving Ibrox, Philippe Clement has stated his wish to add another left-back to the Rangers roster.The newest transfer target, known by his nickname “Smaldini,” joined FC Twente in 2020 and has since made 104 appearances, scoring four goals from left-back.

Clement will be extremely disappointed not to land the signing of Doig, who was voted Scotland’s Young Player of the Year in 2021 before moving to Hella Verona in the summer and making 35 appearances, scoring twice.

The 21-year-old was called up to the Scotland senior squad after injuries to Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Aaron Hickey but is yet to be handed his international debut.

Rangers might have to give up on the Scottish possibility, though, as a transfer to Torino appears to be the most likely option. Still, Smal is a good target that the Giants may acquire for free if they wait until the summer.

If Clement can’t wait that long, FC Twente might let the 26-year-old go during the January transfer window for a low price rather than keeping him through the season and forgoing a transfer fee.

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