Posted: 00:44, 20 July 2022 | Updated: 00:44, 20 July 2022
Rangers are investigating a potential move for Besiktas left-back Ridvan Yilmaz after completing a £4m move for centre-back Ben Davies. The 21-year-old Yilmaz has already made six appearances in Turkey. He came through Besiktas’ youth system, making his first-team debut in April 2019 and helping them win the 2020-21 league. Now entering the final year of his contract with the Istanbul club, he is likely to cost in excess of £4million if Rangers pursue a permanent deal. Ridvan Yilmaz has already broken into the Turkish national team and won a league title With Calvin Bassey poised to complete his £20m move to Ajax, the Ibrox club have already secured Davies from Liverpool in a switch worth an initial £3m plus a further £1m in add-ons. This transfer has received a firm stamp of approval from Jurgen Klopp, who believes it is the “perfect” move for a defender nearing his prime. Davies was confirmed as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s sixth summer signing shortly before kick-off in yesterday’s 3-1 win against West Ham. Davies, who has signed a four-year deal at Ibrox, has not featured much at Anfield since signing in a £500,000 switch from Preston and spent last season at Sheffield United. However, Liverpool boss Klopp gave a glowing assessment of his character and backed him to be a huge success in Scotland. “It’s a smart recruitment by Giovanni van Bronckhorst,” said Klopp. Perfect for all parties. He has himself a complete defender, entering his peak years and whose character is top notch.’ Davies, who previously attracted interest from Celtic before moving to Liverpool in February 2021, was delighted to join last season’s Europa League finalists. He follows John Souttar, Antonio Colak, Tom Lawrence, Rabbi Matondo and Malik Tillman who were added this summer. Jurgen Klopp has called Ben Davies an “acclaimed defender” who is “coming into his prime” “I’m very excited to be joining Rangers and I’m really looking forward to taking this next step in my career,” Davies said. “It’s a huge club with big ambitions and I can’t wait to get started.” Van Bronckhorst believes Davies will be an important signing. “First of all, I’m happy he’s joined us,” said the Dutchman, who expects Alfredo Morelos to return to fitness in the “next weeks” ahead of Kemar Roofe. “He is a left-footed defender and that is very important for the team. He is very comfortable on the ball, a good passer, a good reader of the game and a good defender. “His time at Liverpool didn’t work out the way he wanted. But it happens. When we spoke he was very, very excited to start and be part of Rangers and will add his qualities as well. We’ll see if he gets some minutes at the weekend.’
