Turkish newspaper Aksam claim that Rangers have blocked Galatasaray from signing Ibrox summer signing Ridvan Yilmaz on a loan-to-buy deal in the January window – with the left-back currently on the sidelines with an injury.
Yilmaz, 21, joined Rangers in the summer for a fee of £4million but has struggled since his move to Glasgow. Indeed, the six-time Turkey international has clocked up just seven appearances for Rangers. Borna Barisic remains first choice.
On Thursday night, Michael Beale’s first game saw Rangers beat Hibernian 3-2. With Barisic missing, it would have been the ideal chance for Yilmaz to start – only his second appearance in the Premiership. But he remains out injured.
Instead of Yilmaz, rookie right-back Adam Devine came in and played on the left. Yilmaz is expected to be sidelined until the end of January – but there have been murmurs he could return to Turkey. Galatasaray have been linked.
Even the manager of Galatasaray, Okan Buruk, has confirmed his club’s interest. Aksam report that Rangers will reject any moves for Yilmaz to leave. That is despite Gala making ‘persistent’ approaches to sign him on a loan-to-buy deal.
Rangers block Galatasaray from signing Yilmaz on loan-to-buy deal
Had Yilmaz been fit and with Rangers lacking in European football after Christmas, it might have made sense for Yilmaz to go out on loan. But a dry loan, one that would see him gain regular football. He might not have done that at Gala.
It could be the reason why Rangers are reluctant to let him go. That, and he is injured until the end of the January window. Michael Beale and his staff have made the right decision to keep him, and revisit his status in the summer.
Barisic remains at the club but is out of contract at the end of the 2023-24 season. He will be 31. So, you would expect that Rangers are hopeful Yilmaz can come in for Barisic on a long-term basis. Especially, if Barisic leaves Ibrox in 2024.
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