Ridvan Yilmaz signs Rangers exit agreement as Ibrox transfer update emerges from Turkey
Ridvan Yilmaz has signed an agreement to leave Rangers for Galatasaray and the deal is set to now happen, according to Kadir Çetinçalı.
The Ajans 1905 journalist reported via X on 15 January that the Turkish club want to land the full-back on loan while the Light Blues want a transfer so Gala are making a new bid.
Rangers were previously reported to have rejected a loan offer from the Istanbul giants with a £3.4million option to buy [Sky Sports, 14 January].
Çetinçalı wrote: “Galatasaray signed an agreement with Rıdvan Yılmaz. Galatasaray wants to finish with a loan option, Rangers wants to give it with a transfer fee.
“However, Galatasaray renews its offer. This transfer is about to happen.”
In then out then in
Yilmaz’s future has quickly become a January saga but appears to be close to the top of the agenda at Ibrox this month.
The Turkish international was thought to be close to moving to Hellas Verona, where Rangers had been linked to a move for Josh Doig in return.
But the Scot’s exit to Marseille has now collapsed to mean it is all-change in that situation, while Galatasaray appear to be pushing hard instead.
For a former Besiktas player to return to the Super Lig at one of their biggest rivals will be no insignificant move, and until it is signed and announced Yilmaz’s future remains subject to switch again, but that latest suggestion is that a deal is on imminently.
Despite starting for Philippe Clement during the last winter break friendly, as well as the previous SPFL victory before the interruption, he appears to be the candidate in the squad most likely to generate a fee to help fund incoming business.
Having been at Ibrox for 18 months without nailing down the regular starting position it is perhaps more worthwhile to take the money if it is on offer and look to source a new option.
However, Clement will need to be sure that he can get someone in before the deadline though or risks coming out of January weaker than how he went in.
In other Rangers news, the club have made an approach this month to sign an exciting new attacker.