Aston Villa target Calvin Bassey has been likened to Juventus great Giorgio Chiellini.

Former Rangers defender Sergio Porrini says he knows of teams in Serie A that are interested in signing Gers stopper Bassey.

He told the Daily Record: “I am not surprised that Aston Villa and other top clubs are looking at him. I know there has been Serie A interest and a lot of teams will be wanting to sign him this summer.

“Any club who has the budget will be trying to get him because he is a top, young defender who will only get better. The good thing for Rangers is that he is still under contract and if they are to sell him it would take a lot of money to get him."

Porrini, who starred for the Ibrox club between 1997-2001, compared Gers' breakout defender to legendary Italy centre-back Chiellini.

He said: “Bassey caught my eye especially in the big European games and for me he was as good as anyone in the Europa League final.

“He is quick. physically strong and very committed. For me, he is a real defender.

“You have the defender who is very good on the ball and the other is more like a Giorgio Chiellini who is very strong but also has the quality to play. I think Bassey falls into that later category."