Rangers can now sign 22-year-old for free, already offered a deal at Ibrox

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Rangers reportedly offered Berke Ozer a deal earlier this summer and the former Fenerbahce goalkeeper has now confirmed his desire to join a club in Europe sooner rather than later, speaking to Hurriyet. 

But has the Ibrox ship already passed 22-year-old Ozer by?

Turkish publication En Sen Haber reported back in June that Rangers had ‘made an offer’ for Berze. Two months on, the former Turkey U21 international is no closer to finding out where he’ll be plying his trade in 2022/23. 

One Charlie Nicolas, in The Express, admits he is expecting the Glasgow giants to bring in a new shot-stopper sooner rather than later, highlighting Jon McLaughlin’s blunder in the Champions League qualifiers against Union Saint-Gilloise. Allan McGregor, meanwhile, will turn 41 in the New Year. 

So could Berke Ozer still end up at Ibrox? Are Rangers even in the market for a ‘keeper?  

Well, they do say there is usually no smoke without fire. And speculation linking Ozer, Martin Fraisl, Vladan Kovacevic and Dimitar Mitov with the Europa League runners-up feel like more than a mere coincidence. Maybe the ship is still in the harbour after all.

Could Rangers still sign free-agent goalkeeper Berke Ozer?

“Currently, I am doing both fitness and field training with my individual coach,” Ozer explains when quizzed on his future plans. 

“I am a young player. I have to play. As a result, we are waiting to take the right decision. There are also clubs that we are in contact with. Hopefully, we will reach a decision as soon as possible.”

6ft 3ins Ozer has spent the last four years at Fenerbahce, expect for a short loan spell at Belgian outfit Westerlo. And he now has his heart set on a move West, having caught the eye of Liverpool and Manchester City in 2019.

“I want to continue my career in Europe,” Ozer adds. “But, of course, the most important thing is to play, to be able to play; to develop.

“I spent four years at Fenerbahce (and) I learned a lot of important things. I want to apply what I learned in the best way in Europe.” 

McLaughlin, it must be said, proved a point with a solid display during Rangers’ 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night; Stepping up to the plate with that Union error still fresh in the mind. Doubts persist, however, about whether he can really be relied upon for a team chasing domestic and European success.