RANGERS are closing in on a deal for Liverpool defender Ben Davies as Calvin Bassey prepares to clinch his £20million move to Ajax.

Boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirmed on Saturday that he was now in the market for defensive reinforcements after Bassey was left out of the squad for the win over Blackpool.

Davies has emerged as a prime target for Rangers and talks are at an advanced stage to complete a £4million switch and bring him to Ibrox in the coming days.

The 26-year-old was previously firmly in Celtic's sights before he joined Liverpool from Preston North End last February.

Davies has found opportunities hard to come by at Anfield, though, and he spent last season on loan in the Championship as he made 21 appearances for Sheffield United.

The Englishman will now be allowed to leave on a permanent basis and Rangers have moved to the head of the queue to sign the versatile stopper that can play at left-back or centre-back.

A deal for Davies would see Rangers move quickly to replace Bassey as he edges closer to a record-breaking exit from Ibrox that will see him pen a long-term deal with the Dutch giants.

The Nigerian internationalist became a stalwart for Van Bronckhorst's side during the second half of the campaign and turned in Man of the Match showings in the Europa League and Scottish Cup finals.