As Rangers get ready to bank a cash boost from the sale of Ridvan Yilmaz to Verona, fans might hope the deal also boosts the club’s Lawrence Shankland hopes.
Reports in Italy have claimed that Turkish international Yilmaz, 22, is all set for a switch to Serie A after a disappointing 18 months in Glasgow.
The fee being quoted by reports around Scotland – allegedly coming from sources in Italy – is that the left-back could cost the Italians around £3m.
This is the figure quoted in a Rangers Review discussion involving established sports journalist Chris Jack, where the writer admitted Yilmaz’s exit looks increasingly likely.
But that doesn’t mean that the Ibrox club have to immediately spend the fee – should the transfer go through – on a new left-back option.
Ridvan Yilmaz Verona switch set to boost Rangers
With Croatian international Borna Barisic still the number one choice at left-back for Rangers, the club aren’t exactly under pressure to break the bank on a Yilmaz replacement.
Whilst a new left-back option will have to come into the side, cost-effective moves for out of contract players like Kai Wagner or Gijs Smal appear to make a little more sense.
A loan solution – such as taking PSV Eindhoven youngster Fredrik Oppegard for the six months until the summer – would also help shore up the position.
It certainly makes a lot more sense than splurging the entire thing on Verona left-back Josh Doig, who has been linked with a £3.5m move to Serie A side Torino.
Would transfer funds be better spent on Lawrence Shankland?
Rangers are working with limited funds in this transfer window and there are certainly more pressing areas of concern than left-back as things stand.
The Gers need fresh investment in the forward line and with Fabio Silva already joining on loan from Wolves further reinforcements are expected.
At the forefront of the discussion is Scotland international and Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland who has been persistently linked over the last three months.
Reports have suggested Hearts would expect somewhere in the £3m to £4m range and – should another solution be sought at left-back – theoretically the Ridvan Yilmaz money could go towards this transfer.
Rangers have also been linked with a move for Vitesse right-winger Million Manhoef, with reports of £2.5m interest doing the rounds at the start of the window.
Another solution could be to bring the Netherlands U21 international into the club and reinforce the frontline with a loan move for someone like Emmanuel Dennis.
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