Rangers have presented Borna Barisic with the opportunity to extend his contract, considering that his existing agreement will expire next summer and allowing him to engage in discussions with other clubs come January.
Conversations regarding this contract extension were momentarily paused as Rangers were occupied with appointing a new manager to take over for the departing Michael Beale. Sources close to the matter have revealed that a two-year contract offer is currently on the table for the left-back who has held the position of first-choice since joining the team in 2018.
Barisic made the move to Glasgow from his childhood club, Osijek, in a £2 million deal after leaving a strong impression on Steven Gerrard during a Europa League encounter against Rangers. Since his arrival, he has accumulated over 200 appearances for the club and has played a crucial role in returning Rangers to the pinnacle of Scottish football, aiding in the securing of the club’s 55th league title three years ago.
However, following this success, Celtic has once again asserted their dominance, and Barisic has faced criticism from fans. Despite this downturn, the club is determined not to lose him for free at the end of the season, especially with last summer’s £5 million signing, Ridvan Yilmaz, yet to meet expectations, leaving them in need of substantial reinforcements at the left-back position.
From a business perspective, renewing Barisic’s contract is a logical move for the club. Even with their underwhelming start to the season and the subsequent dismissal of Michael Beale, there’s a compelling argument to be made that he has been Rangers’ standout performer this term.
Nottingham Forest had previously expressed interest in Barisic during the last transfer window, and numerous European clubs would be eager to secure his services in the future. Turkish champions Trabzonspor also made a bid for Barisic during the summer transfer window, which was rejected by Rangers.
Rangers’ intention is to capitalize on his value should he decide to renew his contract, avoiding a situation where he leaves for free, similar to what happened with Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent last summer. Barisic’s potential return to his hometown of Osijek has been discussed, but for a full international and consistent starter for Croatia, another few years at a prominent club, competing in European competitions, appears to be the most appealing and realistic choice.
Despite the temporary suspension of negotiations, it is widely anticipated that an agreement will be reached in the coming weeks to extend the defender’s contract, securing not only his future at the club but also any potential resale value.
Notably, Barisic boasts 35 caps for the Croatian national team and has contributed over 60 assists in his 214 appearances for Rangers. He has also added a Scottish Cup and a league title to his achievements and was a part of the squad that reached the 2021 Europa League final in Seville.
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