Rangers decide on Ridvan Yilmaz transfer after positive Ibrox exit negotiations
Ridvan Yilmaz looks set to stay at Rangers despite recent interest from Galatasaray, according to Fanatik.
The Turkish giants were keen to offer Yilmaz – a Turkey international – a route back to his homeland in January.
However, a winter transfer never materialised and the 22-year-old has nailed down a regular starting berth at Ibrox, leading Rangers to prioritise keeping him in Scotland.
No Turkey return for Rangers regular Ridvan Yilmaz
In the winter transfer window, Galatasaray arranged for regular left-back Angelino’s loan deal to be cut short to avoid triggering an appearance-based purchase clause, leading RB Leipzig to move the Spaniard from Turkey to Serie A side Roma.
Yilmaz emerged as one of their primary targets, but Rangers were reluctant to part with the full-back and Galatasaray eventually moved for Derrick Kohn from Hannover 96 instead.
The Turkish defender was a bit-part player in 2022/23 – his first season after joining from Besiktas – but he has displaced Borna Barisic this term to become Philippe Clement’s first choice in the role. He has made 22 Scottish Premiership appearances so far and will expect to add to that in their next match against Hibernian on March 30.
Yilmaz started the 2023/24 campaign as second-choice behind Barisic, who started the majority of fixtures before the turn of the year, but the Croatian has been limited to just four league outings in 2024.
Clement will be pleased to keep hold of his blossoming charge – though he may need to dip into the market for cover if Barisic chooses to leave in search of regular game time.
In other Rangers news, Derek Ferguson predicts that Jack Butland could be sold for a big profit.
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