Besiktas president Ahmet Nur Cebi admits he wanted to keep Ridvan Yilmaz but could not deny the £5 million left-back a ‘dream’ move to Rangers, speaking via Hurriyet and GZT.
At the start of the summer, when Tottenham Hotspur were linked, Cebi indicated that he would demand at least £8 million for a 21-year-old Turkey international who burst onto the Super Lig scene with a flurry of assists during an otherwise disappointing season for Besiktas.
But with no one willing to stump up such a fee – and with Yilmaz desperate to put pen to paper at Ibrox – Cebi obviously felt he had no choice but to grant the youngster’s wish.
Rangers sign Ridvan Yilmaz in £5 million deal
“A footballer’s value is measured by the offers made to him. If there is no one who offers more than six million euros, then his value is six million euros,” the president explains.
“There was no offer over six million euros. The value of a football player is the highest figure offered for him.
“I did not want him to go. Although I wanted him to stay with us, he said; ‘I want to go, I have dreams. Do not block my path.’
“We paved the way for his dreams. We sold him unwillingly.”
According to The Athletic, Yilmaz turned down Bundesliga and Serie A clubs before joining Rangers earlier this week. An adventurous, thoroughly modern full-back, Yilmaz pinpoint deliveries from the left-hand flank could help strike up a fearsome partnership with Alfredo Morelos and new number nine Antonio Colak.
Interestingly, former Celtic target Mohaned Jeahze could now replace him in Istanbul.
“We wanted to keep Ridvan,” adds Besiktas’ former West Brom and Barnsley coach Valerien Ismael. “I told him that, with this fast-paced game (in Turkey), he could attract more attention at the international level.”
Yilmaz already has six caps for the Turkish national team. He won’t be at the Qatar World Cup, however, after Turkey lost to Portugal in the play-offs.
Interestingly, Rangers are reportedly keen on Yilmaz’s former team-mate – and namesake – Kartal Yilmaz too. The stylish midfielder is available on loan. But would Besiktas let two exciting young players join Rangers in the same summer?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
