‘Convinced me’: 23-year-old on why he won’t join Rangers this summer

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Germany U21 international Salih Ozcan has decided to stay at Bundesliga outfit FC Cologne and won’t join Rangers this summer, speaking to Kicker.

While Ozcan is unlikely to become the Cathedral City’s answer to Francesco Totti – the Cologne-born midfielder has only signed a contract until 2023 and will be a man in demand once again before long – a departure from the Rhein Energie Stadion can be put on the back burner for now.

Kicker reported earlier in June that Steven Gerrard’s Rangers were looking to snap up the 23-year-old, who was due to become a free agent at the end of the month.

At the time, it looked for all the world as though Ozcan would be showing off his intelligent link-play and wily movement at a new club when 2021/22 kicked off.

But the appointment of Steffen Baumgart as Cologne manager has changed everything.

Why Salih Ozcan won’t be joining Rangers

Baumgart made it clear from minute one he saw Ozcan as a key part of his squad.

And it seems his charm offensive has worked wonders, with the highly rated academy graduate snubbing Rangers’ advances to extend his deal by a further two years.

“I am very happy I’m still part of the FC family,” Ozcan explains.

“Regardless of the fact this is my home, the conversations with Steffen Baumgart and everyone in charge of FC have convinced me my journey is not over here.”

“(Ozcan) was born here, has his football roots in Cologne and identifies completely with the club,” adds Baumgart, toasting a job well done.

“He has already gained a lot of experience but is still at the same time a young and developable player. He fits perfectly into the player profile we want to work with in the future.

“I am convinced he will be able to bring his qualities to the field more often and more strongly than before at FC. And that’s what I expect from him too. I’m really looking forward to working with Salih.”

Baumgart will have his work cut out if he wants to keep the coveted Sebastiaan Bornauw and Ellyes Skhiri at Cologne too.

Bornauw, an £18 million target for Crystal Palace, is set to reject a new contract, while Skhiri is one of many 6ft-something midfield powerhouses on West Ham’s radar.