Rangers saved millions by not selling Ridvan Yilmaz, could double their money in summer
Rangers were questioned throughout the January transfer window as rumours suggested that Ridvan Yilmaz was going to be allowed to leave.
The Turkey international was linked with a move to Serie A clubs Verona and Torino as well as Galatasaray during the window, with loan deals mentioned and even loan-to-buy deals.
But while speculation went into overdrive during that month the left-back got his head down, worked hard and found himself being regularly named in Philippe Clement’s starting lineup while turning in fantastic performances.
Despite that though Rangers were seemingly open to letting him leave, with a £4m fee reportedly seen as enough to let him go to anyone who was willing to pay that fee either in January or in the summer window.
However when the Ibrox club’s move for Jefte collapsed late on, Ridvan’s exit seemingly hit the skids and the 22-year-old will now stay in Glasgow for the rest of the season at least. But it could be a blessing in disguise that the club’s plans fell apart.
Ridvan’s slow start
After spending £4m to bring Yilmaz in initially, he struggled to really get anything going due to injuries and having Borna Barisic ahead of him in the pecking order.
But he has shown already what he is capable of and it would be a real surprise, barring any injury, if he were to lose his place in the side between now and the end of the season.
And with Jefte still expected to join the club at the end of his contract in the summer window, the club may have saved millions on his signing and then they have a decision to make. The chances are Ridvan will likely still be allowed to leave, but no way should the price be the same.
If Clement decides the best option is to allow him to leave despite his performances, then Rangers should be looking to cash in and they could potentially add a few million on to that £4m price tag from January.
A £6m sale in the summer would represent profit on the deal that was made to bring him in, then plus the £1.5m Rangers are saving on the signing of Jefte, the balance from those two deals could be doubled from what it would’ve been just a few months prior.
It also means the first-team squad is stronger for this second half of the season with Yilmaz in the team, and the Rangers board can get some praise for a masterstroke of a decision.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox loanee tipped to return for 2024/25 season after “Massive” development.
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