Philippe Clement has ‘no desire’ to see defender Ridvan Yilmaz depart this month, despite reports Glasgow Rangers want to get rid of him.
That’s according to journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, who has insisted that Rangers are not bluffing when it comes to the 22-year-old.
Yilmaz has been heavily linked with a move away from Ibrox this month, with Clement continuing to shape his squad to better suit his needs.
Several sides are believed to be chasing the full-backs signature, with the front runners currently Galatasaray and Verona.
Various reports have extensively linked the pair with a move for Yilmaz since the transfer window opened, with both having been presented as the frontrunners by the respective media in their countries.
A report in Turkey had suggested that Galatasaray had struck an agreement with Yilmaz over a move, and it was now down to them to work out a loan deal with Rangers that suits all parties.
Sabuncuoğlu insists that is not the case, though, and the Rangers full-back has in fact rejected that proposal and getting a deal agreed with those in charge at Ibrox is not likely to be an easy proposition either.
“He rejected the offer from Galatasaray,” he said.
“Right now, Ridvan Yilmaz continues to play, Philippe Clement has no desire to lose him to a loan to Galatasaray. I also talked to Rivan’s entourage, and they said, ‘we do not have an agreement with any team yet’.
“Let me tell you, Galatasaray has to rent him through a compulsory purchase. For this they do not fall below €5m. If a figure of €5m or more comes directly, they will accept his sale and let him go. But for now, Ridvan is playing.
“They (Rangers) rejected the offer in the morning, there were news like this, saying Rangers are bluffing. Ridvan has been playing in the first 11 for six matches, so there is no bluff or price increase here. There is no situation like this.
“Ridvan is one of the professionals in the current squad who is currently on Rangers’ need list. There is a perception that they want to get rid of Ridvan but there is no such situation.
“We have mentioned the Verona transfer, let’s not forget them. If they sell their left-back, they will buy Ridvan. There are reports in the foreign press about the cancellation of that transfer.”
