Germany U21 international Salih Ozcan has performed a dramatic U-turn and now looks set to snub Rangers in favour of signing a new contract at Bundesliga outfit FC Cologne, as reported by Kicker.
While the 23-year-old hasn’t quite left things to the last minute, he isn’t far off. Ozcan will become a free agent on Wednesday.
The skilful midfielder looked destined to leave the Cathedral City in search of a new adventure, one that would potentially have taken him across the sea to Glasgow.
Rangers were interested, according to Kicker, and appeared to be in pole position as contract talks between Ozcan and Cologne collapsed quicker than a house of cards on a trampoline.
But then everything changed.
And Cologne have new manager Steffen Baumgart to thank for that.
Baumgart made it clear from day one he was desperate to keep Ozcan at the club and it seems those feelings will be reciprocated.
The academy graduate is now set to put an end to the speculation and sign a new contract at his home-town club.
“The talks are ongoing. Both sides can well imagine (a new deal being signed),” says interim sporting director Jorg Jakobs.
“Now we have to see whether we can come (to an agreement).”
A blow, then, for a Rangers side that was hoping to sign a talented and versatile midfielder without spending a single penny in transfer fees.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
