According to a report from Sabah, Rangers have made a decision regarding the long-term future of Ridvan Yilmaz ahead of the summer transfer window. The Turkish outlet stated on their website on March 25 that Rangers have opted to retain the 22-year-old left-back despite strong interest from clubs like Galatasaray during the January transfer window.
This decision comes as Rangers are set to part ways with fellow left-back Borna Barisic, who is reportedly close to finalizing a move to Trabzonspor once his contract expires. Yilmaz, who has overtaken Barisic as the starting left-back under manager Philippe Clement this season, seems to have played a significant role in the club’s decision to retain him.
Despite speculations about Yilmaz’s potential departure, especially during the winter transfer window, Rangers kept him in the starting lineup consistently. While there were uncertainties about his future due to potential financial gains from a transfer, no suitable offers materialized.
Although Yilmaz may not have been flawless this season, he has shown improvement and represents an upgrade over Barisic, who is on his way out. Yilmaz was initially intended to be a replacement for Barisic when he arrived from Besiktas two years ago, and now he has solidified his position as the starting left-back for Rangers under Clement’s management.
While signing Jefte could be seen as a positive move, especially given the earlier setbacks, parting ways with Yilmaz at this stage might be considered risky. Yilmaz has recently shown promising form and his potential return for the upcoming Old Firm clash with Celtic on April 7th is seen as a significant boost, especially considering his recovery from injury sustained during international duty. This indicates his growing importance to the team in Glasgow.
Bringing in a new player like Jefte doesn’t guarantee an instant adaptation to the team’s style and demands, which adds another layer of uncertainty to the situation. Therefore, there may be considerations within Rangers’ management about the timing and potential consequences of letting go of Yilmaz, especially as he seems to be hitting his stride and proving his worth to the team.
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