Rangers transfer news as Ridvan Yilmaz yet to reach personal agreement over January switch
Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has insisted that Ridvan Yilmaz’s entourage are yet to reach an agreement with Galatasaray over a January transfer away from Rangers.
The Turkish defender has been linked with moves to both Galatasaray and Verona so far this month, with reports suggesting that the Turkish giants would be keen on signing him on an initial loan deal having already agreed personal terms [Milliyet, 17 January].
However, Turkish journalist Sabuncuoglu says that Philippe Clement has “no desire” to lose the defender before the end of January and the Light Blues would only allow the left-back to depart for a fee upwards of £4.3million [€5million] this month.
Speaking on the Sports Digitale YouTube channel (17 January) he said: “He rejected the offer from Galatasaray. Right now, Ridvan Yilmaz continues to play, and Philippe Clement has no desire to lose him on loan to Galatasaray. I also talked to Ridvan’s entourage, and they said, ‘We do not have an agreement with any team yet’.
“Let me tell you, Galatasaray have to loan him through a compulsory purchase. For this, they do not fall below €5m. If a figure of €5m or more comes directly, they will accept his sale and let him go. But for now, Ridvan is playing.
“Ridvan is one of the professionals in the current squad who is currently on Rangers’ need list. There is a perception that they want to get rid of Ridvan but there is no such situation.
“We have mentioned the Verona transfer, let’s not forget them. If they sell their left back, they will buy Ridvan. There are reports in the foreign press about the cancellation of that transfer.”
No desire
In an ideal world, Rangers would like to keep Yilmaz at Ibrox beyond the end of the January transfer window. Clement isn’t spoiled with options at full-back currently and the Belgian cannot afford to lose the Turkish defender and Borna Barisic within months of one another.
However, should a big fee come in, like the £4.3million mooted by Sabuncuoglu, there could be a deal to be struck as long as the Gers earn a healthy bit of cash.
Rangers and Clement’s reluctance to sell puts them in an excellent negotiating position, especially with the news that no agreement has been reached between Yilmaz and Galatasaray over personal terms of a transfer.
Hopefully, the Light Blues will be able to keep him at Ibrox beyond the January transfer window and even if they are unable to, they should be able to earn a pretty penny for his services.
In other Rangers news, Scottish officials have made a new demand to the SFA following the recent Old Firm VAR controversy
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