Fresh from losing out on defender Nathaniel Adjei to Lorient for £7M, Rangers are also likely to ‘lose’ out on German winger Yusuf Kabadayi after it emerged Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Besiktas are interested in the attacker.
Rangers’ window has thus far begun disappointingly, with just Jefte and Nsiala over the line, and while the summer period only technically began on the 14th, deals were well and truly being done in advance of this.
And to this point, aside ‘extensions’ for Leon Balogun and Oscar Cortes, Rangers’ only new blood are Brazilian Jefte and France’s Nsiala.
Of course we know there’s a tonne of names swirling around – word is Reuell Winters is going to remain at Arsenal after all, and Ben Johnson is sitting on a West Ham offer as well.
But only a few hours after Adjei got his future sorted by remaining in France long term for a spectacular £7M, Kabadayi appeared to be slipping through Rangers’ fingers as well as the £1M-rated attacker veered towards Turkey and new manager GVB’s charges in Istanbul.
While Van Bronckhorst has been linked with quite a few Rangers players, namely Tom Lawrence and Ridvan Yilmaz (yes, to his old club), that he is also shopping in the same market Rangers are in general seems to suggest the club might lose out on one or two targets to the Dutchman.
Remember, Turkey offers two Champions League spots, and Gio will be trying to get his side into contention for the season after next, with their finishing a modest 6th last term which still secured them Europa League thank to their Turkish cup win.
They probably also have a speck more cash than Rangers, and Turkey is a stronger league than Scotland these days.
So Kabadayi, if Gio is making his move, would more likely to switch there.
There’s also the small matter that he is actually significantly Turkish, having represented them at youth level.
So for now, that one may be out of Rangers’ reach.
Onto the next?