Rangers continue to be linked with Joey Veerman but with doubts around the future of Nnamdi Ofoborh, Glen Kamara and what level Ryan Jack will return to, a player capable of protecting the back four should be top of Ross Wilson’s shopping list.
We’ve missed out on Dejan Ljubicic and have been linked with Ivan Lipinjica, however, there is one player who has experience of the highest level of football currently without a club and could be a viable option.
Youssef Ait Bennasser has been capped 23 times by Morocco and is now out of contract after Monaco decided not to offer him a new deal.
He has played all of his football in France’s top two tiers and nearly 100 in Ligue 1 alone with Monaco, Bordeaux, Nancy and St Etienne, at over 6ft tall, the powerful defensive midfielder is also not shy of a tackle and for all that he isn’t know for his goal scoring prowess, his ability on the ball and passing range would make him perfect for continental football.
At 25-years old and on a free transfer, he is well worth the punt, the fact that just a couple of years ago he was valued at over £9million also gives an indication of his talent, he is the player that we thought we were getting with Bongani Zungu.
Benasser has had a strange 2020/21, after being deemed surplus to requirements Monaco relegated him to the reserve team squad and went one stage further later in the season by banishing him from the training centre altogether, the player eventually winning a ruling with the league’s governing body.
For all that he might be short of match practice, he hasn’t suffered any serious injuries and is at a good age to get quickly up to speed – a defensive midfielder, approaching his peak, who has bags of ability on the ball and is available for free? Yes, please.