Rangers target Salih Ozcan is set to leave Bundesliga outfit Cologne on a free transfer next month after talks over a new contract broke down, as reported by The Express.
Ozcan may not have been the stand-out performer as Germany defeated the Netherlands in the U21 European Championship semi-finals recently – that honour went to the outstanding Florian Wirtz. But the attacking-midfielder still offered a glimpse into why he’s so highly regarded inside and outside the Cathedral City.
Cologne-born Ozcan was a constant menace against the Dutch with his intelligent movement in the final third, drifting into pockets of space while linking midfield to attack with a subtle flick or intuitive one-two.
It’s not difficult to imagine Ozcan making the difference for Rangers against deep-lying, well-drilled opposition, creating valuable yards for the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent to wreak havoc.
Last month, Kicker reported Steven Gerrard’s Scottish Premiership champions plan to bring the 23-year-old to Ibrox in the summer transfer window.
Ozcan heading to Rangers
And, according to the Express, Ozcan now looks certain to leave his home-town club next month.
Talks over a contract extension have collapsed with just two weeks left until the 6ft schemer becomes a free agent.
“Salih is a top player,” Ozcan’s agent Dirk Hebel said of a man who won the prestigious Fritz Walter Medal in 2017, an honour bestowed on the most talented youngsters in German football.
“In the meantime, he has gained a lot of experience. Of course, there are many inquiries. We will surely find a good solution.”
With the likes of Josh Laurent, John Lundstram and Ivan ‘the Croatian Pogba’ Lepinjica having also been linked with a move to the blue half of Glasgow recently, it’s safe to assume a central midfielder is high on Gerrard’s list of priorities before the transfer window closes on 31 August.
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