Rangers have reportedly signaled a willingness to lower their valuation of left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, a move that could pave the way for his return to former club Besiktas. The Turkish giants have been in ongoing discussions with the Scottish club, and a new report suggests a breakthrough may be on the horizon.
The 24-year-old’s future at Ibrox has been under scrutiny since the appointment of new manager Russell Martin. Martin has opted to start new loan signing Max Aarons in the opening three matches of the season, a decision that has seen Yilmaz left out of the matchday squad entirely. In a further sign of the club’s direction, Aarons was also handed the squad number previously worn by Yilmaz, a move that is said to have unsettled the Turkish international.
Yilmaz originally joined Rangers from Besiktas in 2022 and has made 77 appearances for the club, though his previous season was hampered by injuries that limited him to just 17 games. With a return to Turkey widely speculated in recent transfer windows, Besiktas, now managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, have emerged as a primary suitor. The player is believed to be receptive to a move back to Istanbul.
According to Turkish journalist Ertan Suzgun, Rangers have now dropped their asking price for Yilmaz to a figure below €4 million. While the exact fee is yet to be disclosed, this move will undoubtedly boost Besiktas’s confidence in reaching an agreement during the current transfer window.
Offloading the player would not only provide Russell Martin with additional funds for his transfer budget but also free up a valuable squad spot. However, the club may face a challenge in securing a favorable fee, as clubs in Turkey are now aware of Rangers’ desire to sell.
