FC Twente have not heard anything from Rangers about a deal to bring Gijs Smal to the Scottish Premiership during the summer transfer window.
That is according to Arnold Bruggink, the Eredivisie outfit’s director of football.
Gijs Smal’s contract will expire at the end of the current campaign and, despite Twente’s best efforts, an extension is yet to be agreed. Hence the ongoing speculation over his future, Rangers reportedly looking at the talented Dutchman as they weigh up a number of options with Borna Barisic’s own contract expiring in a matter of months.
But while Twente chief Bruggink is aware of the reports linking Smal with Ibrox, Rangers have not – so far at least – contacted the Enschede side to make their interest known.
Twente chief plays down Rangers Gijs Smal links
“We are still in discussions with Gijs to extend his contract. I do not yet assume that Smal will not sign,” Bruggink tells RTV Oost. “We have a meeting with his agent next week.”
“I have mainly heard (about Rangers’ interest), but it has never reached our ears in any case.”
Twente added another left-back to their squad on deadline day last week, bringing in Anass Salah-Eddine from Ajax. He too was linked with Rangers, via Fabrizio Romano, before Philippe Clement’s side turned their attention to Jefte Vital of Fluminense.
“Anass is a great player,” Bruggink adds. “He is a wonderful player who we think can be of great value to us in the future.”
Ridvan Yilmaz still at Ibrox
Rangers, while bringing in Oscar Cortes, Fabio Silva and Mohamed Diomande, did not manage to get a new left-back over the line. Jefte was the closest to arrive, a potential £400,000 deal collapsing after APOEL Nicosia refused to terminate his season-long loan spell in Cyprus.
As such, The Gers appear reluctant to cash in on Ridvan Yilmaz without a replacement forthcoming. Galatasaray are reportedly willing to pay around £2 million for the former Besiktas flyer, with the Turkish transfer window staying open until February 9th, but Rangers want at least £4 million for a man playing the best football of his Ibrox career.
