Ridvan Yilmaz could quit Rangers in next 72 hours after UEFA development
Rangers could be preparing to lose Ridvan Yilmaz in the next 72 hours after he was left out of their squad for the Europa League group stages.
The Turkey international has been restricted to just 25 minutes of action so far this season due to injury, but was omitted from the squad for the European campaign with the club forced to abide by UEFA’s homegrown rules.
But with Yilmaz firmly behind Borna Barisic in the pecking order as first-choice left-back, this decision from Michael Beale is likely to see his chance for regular minutes restricted even more and that could open up the chance for a late transfer away.
Reports in Turkey last week suggested that the Gers were open to letting the 21-year-old leave on loan, with former club Besiktas among the interested parties.
Galatasaray were also linked with a move, with the Turkish transfer window due to slam shut on September 15th at midnight local time.
That would leave 72 hours for Yilmaz to agree a move away from Ibrox to head back home to Turkey and start playing regularly again, with one eye surely on a place in the national team squad for Euro 2024 should they qualify.
Allowing Ridvan to leave would no doubt leave Rangers a bit shorter than they wanted to be at left-back, but we wouldn’t be short by any means.
Barisic is first choice as already mentioned, and it was summer signing Dujon Sterling who got the nod against Celtic in his absence despite Yilmaz being on the bench.
There is also youngster Adam Devine who is part of the squad and will likely serve as the back-up in Europe, with his age meaning he doesn’t need to be registered to play in the competition.
All this means that a move for Yilmaz is very much on the cards at this point, with the writing clearly on the wall for his Ibrox future.
In other Rangers news, two summer signings axed from European squad due to UEFA rules.