Ridvan Yilmaz reveals Rangers transfer window plans amid Besiktas and Galatasaray interest
Ridvan Yilmaz is not planning on returning to Turkey this summer despite reports linking him with a Rangers exit, he has confirmed in an interview with TRT Spor.
Fotomac most recently reported on 11 June that his former club Besiktas were planning an approach to re-sign him from Ibrox after just a season, with the same outlet having also reported rival Istanbul interest from Galatasaray on 27 May.
The 22-year-old was a £5million signing a year ago [Sky Sports] and had a difficult first year in Glasgow, with almost five months lost to a hamstring injury, but an encouraging late-season run saw him take advantage of a knock to Borna Barisic to start every SPFL game after the split, and he has now quashed suggestions of an imminent exit to Turkey.
Speaking to TRT Spor he said of the process when he joined the Light Blues last summer: “When I left, I got in the car and cried until I got to the airport.”
But despite being variously linked to a move back to his home country at different points throughout the season the defender confirmed: “My plans are not to return to Turkey.”
Ruled out
Were it not for his starts towards the end of the season it would have been difficult to judge what sort of player Rangers had with the young left-back.
He wasn’t overly trusted by Giovanni van Bronckhorst and then was virtually a forgotten man during the months out of action.
But he played well enough under Michael Beale at the end of the campaign, including as Rangers finally picked up an Old Firm victory, to suggest that if he stays fit next season he could even make the starting spot his own.
It would have been a disappointment to see a relatively high-priced young talent leave without really making a mark at Ibrox, and unless of the Istanbul giants are ready to offer the Gers a profit it wouldn’t spell good business.
So Ridvan ruling out the departure is a positive development for Beale and the fans, as Barisic’s future has been called into question as well, and were it just the Croatian veteran with new signing Dujon Sterling and youngster Adam Devine able to fill in at a push a further arrival would surely be needed.
The young Turk will look to push on in his second season with Rangers and make up for lost time.
In other Rangers news, a BBC pundit is expecting four more signings in at Ibrox as the transfer activity shows no sign of letting up.