The Ridvan Yilmaz to Verona transfer saga threatens to rumble on as a prospective move for the Rangers left-back is hit with a fresh Josh Doig delay.
The Turkish international left-back, 22, has been strongly linked with a move to the Serie A side this window but the transfer also appears part of a January left-back merry-go-round.
One of the most crucial dominoes in that proposed Ridvan Yilmaz move to Verona appears to be the exit of Josh Doig, who was linked to Rangers earlier in the window.
But amid reports that Marseille were closing in on a deal, Verona’s humming and hawing over Doig interest from Serie A rivals Sassuolo has led to the Ligue 1 side pulling the plug.
Marseille scrap Josh Doig move
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Marseille have now scrapped their move for Josh Doig and turned their attentions to Young Boys left-back Ulysses Garcia.
That switch is also set to allow Brazilian left-back Renan Lodi move on a bumper transfer to Saudi club Al-Hilal.
The Pro League side are reportedly paying somewhere in the region of £17m for the Marseille left-back.
A later report from Fabrizio Romano claims that Marseille interest in Ulysses Garcia is also moving quickly with a medical set after the clubs agreed a €3m (£2.5m) fee.
The entire thing has left us scratching our heads over those Verona links to Ridvan Yilmaz, with the left-back very much a part of the Rangers squad as things stand.
Rangers reject Ridvan Yilmaz bid
Ridvan Yilmaz started Rangers’ weekend friendly clash with Hertha Berlin and the club’s manager Philippe Clement was pressed on the exit links after the game.
Whilst the Rangers boss didn’t rule out a Ridvan Yilmaz exit, it wasn’t exactly a reassuring vote of confidence that the player is going nowhere.
That said, Rangers have reportedly rejected one bid for Ridvan Yilmaz already in the window from Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray.
As reported by Sky Sports (14/01, 14:36), Rangers have rejected a loan with option-to-buy offer from Gala although it is not exactly clear why at this stage.
With Rangers hoping to strengthen other areas of the Ibrox squad, perhaps the club is holding out for a transfer fee in this window to help bolster their January budget.
Whatever the case, with Josh Doig very much still a Verona player it has kicked those murmurs of Italian interest in Ridvan Yilmaz further up the park.
Rangers have been linked to a number of left-backs as potential Ridvan Yilmaz replacements in the window, with Benfica star David Jurasek amongst the most prominently mentioned.
