Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has admitted the club are interested in Rangers full-back Ridvan Yilmaz – despite insistence from the player’s camp the Turkish international is going nowhere.
The 21-year-old wing-back has had widely reported issues settling into life in Scotland and has seen his appearances at Ibrox limited as a result.
Signed in the summer from Besiktas on a £3.6m rising to £5m deal [Sky Sports], the Turkish star has shown flashes of what he’s capable of but after struggling to settle initially an injury has kept the player out of the side.
This has led to Ridvan Yilmaz being linked with a return to Turkey, with Galatasaray and Trabzonspor named as amongst the player’s strongest suitors.
But amid these claims, Ridvan’s agent was out only this week claiming that the player is committed to Rangers and the project the club is building.
“It should not be forgotten that Ridvan’s transfer process was not very happy this summer,” explains agent Necdet Ergezen, whilst speaking to Turkish outlet Gazete Damga.
“This is a project. We stand behind this, both me and the player. We did not take Ridvan to Europe to return him to Turkey after 5 months.”
Galatasaray boss admits interest in Rangers’ Ridvan Yilmaz
Now, there is some confusion with Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk suggesting that Ridvan Yilmaz is a player the Turkish giants are interested in.
Speaking ahead of the January transfer window, Buruk named Yilmaz alongside Halil Akbunar and Deniz Undav as potential targets.
“As yet, we haven’t made a formal move for any player, but we are watching a lot of them,” said Buruk.
“With regards to the ones mentioned – Rıdvan Yılmaz, Halil Akbunar and Deniz Undav – they are all good players.
“We are evaluating all of them. We have all their matches followed. Perhaps things will become more clear in January, but we have not had a meeting with any of them at the moment.”
Whilst the links to Galatasaray continue for Ridvan Yilmaz, it’s clear the player is focused on life with Rangers for the time being.
Meanwhile, the Gers are also set to be tested by interest in a top young talent from the Premier League.
