Hellas Verona have confirmed the signing of former Everton and Wolves man Ruben Vinagre have one exit route now closed off for Rangers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz.
As the winter window enters it’s final stretch, we are still no closer to finding out what the future holds for Philippe Clement’s £3.5 million Turkey international.
Reports suggesting that Rangers have agreed a deal to bring in Jefte from Fluminense may appear to suggest that Ridvan Yilmaz is on his way out the door. But Borna Barisic’s contract situation, it should not be forgotten, means might just Jefte be a replacement not for Yilmaz but for the long-serving Croatian instead.
One of the clubs who allegedly showed an interest in the former Besiktas man have also officially removed their name from the frame. Hellas Verona confirmed on Friday that Ruben Vinagre has joined instead on a loan-to-buy arrangement from Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.
Serie A outfit out of Ridvan Yilmaz race
“Hellas Verona announces that it has acquired – on loan until 30 June 2024, with right of option – the sporting services of Portuguese defender Ruben Vinagre from Sporting Lisbon,” reads a statement on the Gialloblu website.
“Hellas Verona FC extends a warm greeting to Ruben, wishing him a future in the yellow-blue shirt full of satisfactions, both personally and as a team.”
Vinagre replaces Josh Doig at Hellas. Ironically, Doig was one of the many left-backs on Rangers’ radar earlier in the window, the former Hibernian flyer putting those reports to bed when securing a £5 million switch to Sassuolo.
Rangers agree Jefte deal
Yilmaz could yet return to Turkey with those Serie A rumours come to an end.
The Super Lig window will stay open until February 9th. Galatasaray appeared to hint at an interest before Yilmaz scored in Rangers’ 3-0 thumping of Hibernian too, head coach Okan Burak admitting that a left-back is a ‘priority’ this month.
Jefte, meanwhile, was left out of the APOEL Nicosia squad for Friday’s 4-0 win at Nea Salamis. The 20-year-old Brazilian is on loan in Cyprus from parent club Fluminense.
“I try to show my skill and creativity,” Jefte told Globo Esporte back in 2021. “At my former club, I played on the wing too, so I already had the skills. I just needed to improve my marking.
“I’m inspired by (Real Madrid legend) Marcelo. He’s very different and makes absurd plays on the wing. I always watch videos of him and imagine being like him one day.
“Playing professionally for Fluminense, for the national team and then in Europe.”
