A potential Rangers move for Verona left-back Josh Doig is not dead yet as reports in Scotland rebuff the latest claims coming out of Italy.
Rangers have been linked with a surprise move for the young Scotland left-back, 21, who has impressed in Serie A since a move to Italy from Hibs last season.
With Turkish international Ridvan Yilmaz, 22, also said to be closing in on a move to the Serie A side, there’s been plenty of conjecture surrounding Rangers and Josh Doig.
That’s even if valuations of €6m (£5.2m) initially threatened to kill the transfer chatter stone dead.
Throw into the mix reports in Italy which have suggested Josh Doig has verbally agreed to join Torino and suddenly the defender appears to be getting further and further away from Ibrox.
But according to leading Scottish tabloid the Daily Record – in a story written by reputable journalist Andy Newport – there is still life in Rangers’ interest in Doig just yet.
Josh Doig has Rangers, Torino & Verona choices
The report claims that Josh Doig currently has three options on the table; a switch to Rangers, a move to Torino, and staying at Verona.
Claiming that Torino boss Ivan Juric is “pushing hard” to complete a deal for Doig, it’s said that the Serie A side will offer Verona £3.5m plus Lithuanian youngster Gvidas Gineitis to sweeten the deal.
That’s despite the Croatian manager claiming that “nothing happens” at Torino until players leave the club.
As for Rangers, the suggestion is that the Gers are weighing up a potential move given the potential exit of Ridvan Yilmaz but it remains unclear if the Ibrox club will pounce.
This comes after the Scottish Daily Mail on Sunday claimed (07/01/24, back page) that Ridvan Yilmaz was being considered for a potential swap deal amid the Josh Doig links.
This comes with Verona set to sell Filippo Terracciano – who has been keeping Doig out of the Serie A side’s XI this season – on the verge of completing a switch to AC Milan.
With the deal worth up to a reported €5.5m (£4.7m), this would theoretically help the Italians finance the deal for Ridvan.
Rangers left-back transfer hunt continues
Rangers meanwhile continue to be linked to a host of players in the transfer window, with several left-backs amongst them.
Josh Doig represents the most expensive option but the likes of out-of-contract duo Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) and Gijs Smal (FC Twente) are interesting alternatives.
Both players would be available for cut-price fees in comparison with Josh Doig and therefore allow Rangers to spend any transfer fee raised from the sale of Ridvan Yilmaz in other areas of the squad.
Turkish outfit Besiktas will also be due a proportion of any profit Rangers make on the sale of the defender.
Rangers have also been linked with PSV youngster Fredrik Oppegard, who could be set to leave the Philips Stadion in January.
