Derek Clark shares Ridvan Yilmaz January transfer preference after Rangers respond to bid from Galatasaray
After the news broke that Rangers had rejected a £3.4million loan-to-buy offer from Galatasaray for Ridvan Yilmaz [Daily Record, 15 January], Derek Clark has claimed that the left-back’s preference could be a move to Besiktas.
The DAZN and Rangers Review broadcaster reported on 15 January that he wouldn’t expect the Turkish defender to be keen on a move to Galatasaray if a bid were to be accepted, with his loyalty lying with his former club.
Both Galatasaray and Hellas Verona have been linked with a move to sign Yilmaz this month but neither have been able to agree on a deal with Rangers as things stand.
Clark was speaking live on The Rangers Review [15 January] as he shared: “The Ridvan Yilmaz reports won’t go away.
“I was told that Ridvan if he was to go back to Turkey, would prefer to go back to his former club Besiktas, so I can’t see him being too keen on that [move to Galatasaray].”
The deal will have to suit Rangers
Regardless of Yilmaz’s preference of his possible destination, any deal for him to depart Ibrox in the January transfer window will have to suit Rangers and what they want to do about incoming players.
A £3.4million loan-to-buy bid from Galatasaray was turned down, likely because the club will want to bring in the funds from his sale immediately rather than at the end of the season so that they can be reinvested in the playing squad and possible January additions.
If Galatasaray put forward a second bid which more suits Rangers’ demands then perhaps a deal could be agreed between the clubs and that is when Yilmaz’s preferences will become the deciding factor or whether he could be persuaded to drop his loyalties.
Rangers will need to bring in a new left-back if Yilmaz does exit this month, as it would leave them with no backup for Borna Barisic, who is also widely expected to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.
In other Rangers news, chiefs have responded to the latest transfer rumours.