Sky Sports detail new Ridvan Yilmaz exit twist as three clubs now in contact with Ibrox left-back
Three Italian clubs are interested in signing Ridvan Yilmaz after Rangers opened the door for the full-back to leave Ibrox on loan, according to Sky Sport Italia.
The Italian news outlet reported via its transfer blog on Friday [12 January, 1:30pm] that Ridvan’s entourage has been in touch with Sassuolo, Monza and Verona.
Verona are said to be leading the chase for the Turkey international, with the Gers ready to send him out on loan for the second half of the campaign.
The Sky Sport Italia update read: “Negotiations with Rangers for the Turkish left winger Yilmaz are progressing, with the club reportedly open to a loan.
“The player’s entourage has also had contact with Sassuolo and Monza but Verona is trying to close the deal.”
Edging closer
It looked likely that Rangers would keep Ridvan on their books this window, but the speculation to the contrary has been growing more and more in the past few days.
The 22-year-old has not had the best time of things in his 18 months or so in Glasgow, so an exit this year was always on the cards.
However, if he departs this month, that would leave Philippe Clement relying heavily on Borna Barisic, who has himself been strongly linked with the exit and is out of contract in the summer.
The fact Ridvan is only going out on loan also says a lot, though, as the Gers clearly do not want to say goodbye to him permanently just yet. If a new left-back can be signed at some point, it will likely spell the end for Ridvan.
Should this move to Italy go through, it should provide the former Besiktas player with a chance to get some minutes under his belt and hopefully show exactly what he is capable of.
If that proves the case, Rangers could either keep a revived Ridvan on their books in the summer, or perhaps sell for a higher price than they would have done in this window.
In other Rangers news, Chris Jack says a Gers signing will only happen this month on one condition.