Ridvan Yilmaz’s potential Istanbul homecoming takes a detour as Rangers reject Galatasaray’s initial loan offer and set a €4.5m price tag.

The 22-year-old left-back, once injury-prone and a backup, has transformed into a first-choice star under Philippe Clement, making his departure far from a given.

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Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, a reliable Turkish journalist, revealed Galatasaray’s initial bid, a €3m loan with bonuses.

But after Yilmaz’s impressive performance in the 1-0 win over St Mirren, Rangers countered with a significantly higher demand. They now seek a loan fee with a mandatory €4.5m purchase clause or a €4.5m upfront fee for a permanent transfer.

This shift reflects Yilmaz’s newfound importance. Once deemed expendable, he’s eclipsed Borna Barisic as the undisputed first-choice left-back and is playing at a peak. Letting him go without significant compensation would be foolish for Rangers.

Turkish-Football understands that Yilmaz is happy at Rangers and has no intention of leaving unless his club sell him.

While the door isn’t entirely shut, Galatasaray must decide if Yilmaz’s price tag outweighs their needs. Rangers, meanwhile, can hold their heads high.

They’ve nurtured a promising player, seen his value skyrocket, and are now in a position to command a hefty fee or, should Galatasaray walk away, retain a key performer for the rest of the season.

Ultimately, the ball is in Galatasaray’s court. A revised offer meeting Rangers’ demands would see Yilmaz return to Turkey, but at a far steeper price than initially envisioned.

If they balk, Yilmaz will remain a crucial cog in Rangers’ machine, his impressive form solidifying his place in the starting lineup.

Additionally, losing Yilmaz now could be a major blow for Rangers just after breaking into the team. With limited backup options and not much time to find a replacement the Scottish giants may decide to hold off a transfer decision until the end of the season.