Midfielder nicknamed Xavi admits Rangers wanted to sign him but deal collapsed

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Besiktas midfielder Kartal Yilmaz admits Rangers ‘were interested’ in signing him during the same summer as namesake Ridvan Yilmaz arrived at Ibrox. 

While tying up a £3.4 million deal for the highly-rated left-back around 18 months ago, Rangers also gave plenty of consideration to a swoop for Ridvan Yilmaz’s former Besiktas team-mate. A player who shares his surname, if not his position or his plying style. 

Kartal Yilmaz, in contrast, is a stylish, ball-playing central midfielder. A technical, forward-thinking and self-confident footballer, Rangers’ interest was not a glitch in the Matrix, but instead driven by a desire to fill a Joe Aribo-shaped void in the heart of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s midfield. 

Rangers tried to sign Besiktas’ Kartal Yilmaz

“At the time, Glasgow Rangers were also interested in me after (signing) Ridvan Yilmaz,” Kartal recalls, speaking to Hurriyet. “I know this personally. But the transfer did not take place at that time because some conditions were not met.” 

Kartal, reportedly valued at around £850,000 during the summer of 2022, is now on loan at Kayserispor. The Turkey U23 international has even earned comparisons with one of the modern game’s most iconic, most decorated midfielders due to his composure in possession and his eye-catching passing range. 

“Time will tell what happens next. I believe that I will achieve my European dream as soon as possible. I want to play for Barcelona in La Liga one day,” Kartal adds.

“I’m a person who watches a lot of matches and I try to follow all leagues. There are players who are among the best in the world playing in my position. I watch these and try to add different things to myself from each of them. 

“Also, my friends in the team are calling me ‘Xavi’.” 

Turkish starlet likened to Barcelona legend

Rangers would eventually offset the loss of Aribo by bringing in Tom Lawrence and Malik Tillman. Todd Cantwell, meanwhile, joined in a bargain deal from Norwich City a few months later down the line in January.