Rangers eye Turkey and Besiktas starlet Ridvan Yilmaz

Rangers are exploring a potential move for highly-rated Besiktas left-back Ridvan Yilmaz after completing the £4million signing of central defender Ben Davies.

Yilmaz, 21, already has six senior caps for Turkey. He came through Besiktas’ youth system, progressing to a first-team debut in April 2019 and helping them win the 2020-21 league title. 

Now entering the final year of his contract with the Istanbul club, he would likely cost in excess of £4m if Rangers pursue a permanent deal.

With Calvin Bassey poised to complete his £20m switch 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.

That transfer has been given a firm seal of approval by Jurgen Klopp, who believes it’s the ‘perfect’ move for a defender approaching his prime.

Davies was confirmed as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s sixth summer addition shortly before kick-off in last night’s 3-1 friendly win against West Ham.

Davies, who has signed a four-year contract at Ibrox, didn’t make a senior appearance at Anfield after being signed in a £500,000 switch from Preston and spent last season at Sheffield United.

However, Liverpool boss Klopp delivered a glowing appraisal of his character and backed him to be a major success in Scotland. ‘It’s a smart piece of recruitment from Giovanni van Bronckhorst,’ said Klopp. 

‘Perfect for all parties. He has himself an accomplished defender, who is entering his peak years and whose character is top drawer.’

Davies, who previously attracted interest from Celtic before joining 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 in