Ridvan Yilmaz prefers Rangers over clubs from Serie A and the Bundesliga, according to The Athletic, with reports in Turkey claiming that a £6 million deal has been agreed for the Besiktas left-back.
Calvin Bassey is still unpacking his bags in his new Amsterdam home.
But, just three days after Ajax completed a near-£20 million deal for the Nigeria international, Rangers appear to be on the verge of unveiling his replacement. No one could accuse the Glasgow giants of resting on their laurels.
Ben Davies has already arrived for an initial £3 million fee from Liverpool. And while the former Preston North End stalwart can play on the flank, he signs with a more central role in mind.
Yilmaz, adventurous and attack-minded, appears a more natural fit for the left-back berth. And Rangers are now closing in on a 21-year-old Turkey international who’s statistics are actually far superior to the man he looks set to replace on the blue side of the city.
Yilmaz, last season, provided of seven goals and assists. Bassey, meanwhile, produced a combined tally of just two.
Ridvan Yilmaz nears Rangers move after Calvin Bassey exit
According to The Athletic, Rangers are in pole position. Yilmaz has his heart set on Ibrox, despite interest from Italy and Germany. Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked in recent times. What’s more, it is ‘expected’ that Yilmaz will be officially unveiled as a Rangers player in the near future.
Turkish publication TRT Sport, meanwhile, claim that Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side have agreed a £6 million fee with Besiktas. Third time appears to be the charm, after Rangers failed with two earlier bids worth £3 million and £5 million respectively.
Besiktas will include a 20 per cent sell-on clause in Yilmaz’s contract.
Rangers also reportedly keen on West Ham United’s Emmanuel Longelo. Yilmaz is now the priority target, however, leaving Longelo in limbo as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at the London Stadium.
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