Ridvan Yilmaz is never too far away from being linked with a move out of Rangers.
Pretty much ever since the Turkish international left-back left his homeland for Scottish shores in 2022 has Ridvan Yilmaz been linked with a return.
Reports of interest from Galatasaray culminated in transfer bids in January before Yilmaz emerged as an influential player in the Rangers team.
Then cut down by injury at a key moment of the season, fitness problems have plagued the defender’s two years in Scotland to date.
With a potential return to Besiktas even mooted this summer – the Turks now managed by ex-Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst – a move back to Turkish football has been shot down by the player’s agents.
But now one Turkish journalist has claimed that it’s not just in his homeland that there is simmering interest in Rangers star Ridvan Yilmaz.
Yilmaz wanted in Germany
The landscape of Turkish football journalism has always raised a few eyebrows on British shores.
Transfer stories in particular have routinely sensationalised links to British football clubs and fans have had to wade through inconsistencies to get to the truth.
One online Turkish language X account by the name of @10Goeki has built a reputation as a solid source of the comings and goings of Turkish footballers plying their trade outside of the country.
With 7.4k followers – including the reputable Yagiz Sabuncuoglu amongst them – the independent account routinely updates fans on expatriate Turkish players.
Now, Germany-based Göksel has claimed that Ridvan Yilmaz is the subject of interest from two of the Bundesliga’s newest clubs.
St Pauli and Holstein Kiel are set to play in the German top flight next season and have reportedly put the Rangers left-back ‘on their agendas’.
It’s sparked speculation that there could soon be a bidding war in Germany for the 23-year-old’s services.
Rangers left-back transfer upheaval
Whilst we’ll wait to see if anything more concrete comes of all this, the account certainly doesn’t appear to be fishing for engagement.
There’s a feeling that things should’ve gone a little differently for Ridvan Yilmaz at Rangers over his 24 months with the club.
Initially struggling to settle after a £5m switch from Besiktas, as we’ve mentioned injuries have had a huge role to play in the diminutive left-back’s lack of impact in Glasgow.
There is undoubtedly talent there though and if Philippe Clement can harness it then Rangers have an effective option in the position.
It’s also fair to say there is some uncertainty at left-back heading into next season.
Borna Barisic has moved to Turkish football with Trabzonspor whilst Brazilian left-back Jefte has joined Rangers from Fluminense.
Links also persist to left-sided Chilean defender Thomas Galdames, who has just seen his country eliminated from the Copa America.
