Incoming Ridvan Yilmaz could prove to be the natural successor for Borna Barisic in Gio van Bronckhorst's revamped Rangers with a deal set to cross the line.
The Light Blues have been in talks with Besiktas over a deal for the 21-year-old, but the Turkish club's £6m asking price had proved a sticking point. However, the Turkish international looks set to complete his move to the Europa League finalists with an a medical around the corner for the full back, with a deal in the region of £5.5million with additional sell-on clauses set to be rubber stamped.
He’d become the Dutchman's seventh summer signing with the club moving quickly to fill the void left by Calvin Bassey who departed Ibrox for Ajax. The claims in Turkey suggest that the player has left the Besiktas training camp in Spain as he prepares to pen a deal through to the summer of 2027.
The deal looks set to provide competition for Borna Barisic, but it could Yilmaz prove to be a key part in Van Bronckhorst's overhaul of Rangers ' system next term? The Dutchman has previously spoken of preferring his wide players to play on the touchline having deployed the system at Feyenoord.
Should Yilmaz arrive in Govan, he would bring more of an attacking threat to the left flank in a similar role to Ibrox skipper James Tavernier on the opposite flank. Last term the full-back netted three goals, when compared to Barisic not finding the net in any competition.
InStat notes the forward minded attributes of the flying full-back Yilmaz boasting a 0.03 XG, while going on an average of three bursting runs into an opponents half per game. Croatia international Barisic is more reserved in his play, with a 0.03 XG return and 1.46 dribbles into a rivals half.
Yilmaz's cavalier attitude is also further proven by his ball retention stats, with the player having no fear of daring to play a risky ball and giving away possession. On average he loses the ball 6 times per game, in contrasts to Barisic's 4.8 record last term.
Barisic's strengths shine through when it comes to crossing ability and in vital defensive areas. Barisic lofts 4.2 cross across the box per game with an accuracy of 37 per cent, while Yilmaz's delivery will be under more scrutiny with 27 per cent of his crosses finding their man with 3.1 per game.
The Croat wins 66 per cent of his tackles compare to the new arrivals' 52 per cent record. But Yilmaz will be no slouch as part of the backline, putting in 4.7 challenges in the attacking third, which betters the 2.9 average of his 29-year-old future teammate.
It remains to be seen if Rangers will add Yilmaz to their bid to reclaim the title next season, with Barisic also linked with a move away from the Scottish Cup winners. However, appears Van Bronckhorst's vision for the club is emerging in this window.
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