Rangers transfer news: Journalist shares update on Ridvan Yilmaz future at Ibrox amid Serie A links
Rangers will not consider signing a new left-back unless Ridvan Yilmaz first departs Ibrox, according to Chris Jack.
The Gers have been tipped to strengthen in that area due to uncertainty over the futures of both Yilmaz and Borna Barisic.
Barisic is out of contract in the summer and has been touted as a target for teams in LaLiga and Dinamo Zagreb in his Croatian homeland.
Meanwhile, Ridvan is said to be a target for Serie A sides Torino and Verona [Yagız Sabuncuoglu, 10 January].
However, despite interest being shown in the Turkey international, Jack believes he will remain at Ibrox for the time being.
“I don’t think Rangers will sign another left-back if Ridvan doesn’t move on,” he told The Rangers Review podcast [12 January]. “If Rangers do sign a left-back, it’s because Ridvan has moved on.
“I spoke to someone at the start of the week who said there’s been no concrete bids for him. There’s been interest that Rangers are aware of, and he’s got a desire to play regular first-team football.
“If Ridvan feels he has to move on for that, it would make sense if a deal can be done and Rangers get as much back for the fee they paid for him as possible.
“It makes sense for all parties. A lot of these deals are a domino effect. It’s not a case of Rangers offloading Ridvan and then strengthening other areas.”
Wait until summer
Ridvan has not exactly lit up Ibrox since arriving from Besiktas 18 months ago, not helped by some injury problems and the presence of Barisic.
However, due to Barisic being out of contract at Ibrox in a little over four months’ time, Rangers cannot risk letting a second left-back leave this month.
Signing a new player in that position – regardless of whether Ridvan remains or not – has to be a priority heading into the summer.
If the 22-year-old was to depart, the money brought in through his sale would have to be invested straight back into the squad.
What is certainly clear is that Ridvan and Barisic are not short of suitors, even if the Gers believe they can upgrade on both players.
The closer we get to the 1 February deadline, the more likely it is that both men will remain in place until at least the summer.
In other Rangers news, a Gers youngster has sealed a loan move away from Ibrox for the second half of the campaign.