‘He’ll leave for nothing’: Rangers target available for free as club miss £2.5m windfall

FC Twente could have earned around £2.5 million by selling Gijs Smal last summer but the Eredivisie ace is now destined to ‘leave for nothing’ as Celtic join Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers in the race for his signature.

After finishing top of the Eredivisie assist charts in 2022/23 – setting up 10 goals for his ever-grateful team-mates – the current campaign has been a bit of a struggle for the highly-rated left-back.

Gijs Smal missed the first few months with injury. And, while returning to full fitness before Christmas, his form has often left a lot to be desired of late. That, however, has not stopped a host of clubs both at home and abroad from running the rule over a 26-year-old who could still prove to be an outstanding bit of business on a free transfer.

Rangers now face Celtic battle for Gijs Smal

Rangers remain interested, having considered Smal during the January window. Given the geography of the publication providing this week’s update – the Rotterdam-based 1908 – it should come as no real surprise to see Feyenoord mentioned too.

But with Celtic also in the market for a left-sided full-back – Alexandro Bernabei joining Brazilian outfit Internacional on Thursday – Rangers could face competition from just across the city, with Twente seemingly destined to 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 podcast.

“(Not getting a move last summer) was a very big disappointment for him. Also for Twente. If he goes, he will leave without a transfer fee.”

Eredivisie ace will be available for free

Smal was reportedly valued at around six million euros in a previous window. Even if Twente had managed to sell him back in 2023, the Enschede outfit would have been lucky to get even ‘half’ that figure, Ten Voorde adds.

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

As Ten Voorde alludes to, Twente have not yet given up on agreeing fresh terms with Smal, even if just to ensure he does not leave on a free transfer.

Rangers, who are also keen on Fluminense’s APOEL loanee Jefte Vital, likely see the Dutchman as a replacement for the similarly out-of-form Borna Barisic with Ridvan Yilmaz establishing himself as first-choice under Philippe Clement.

Title-chasing Rangers travel to Hibernian on Sunday, fresh from their well-earned 2-2 draw at Benfica in the Europa League.