As reported by Vital Rangers, Salih Ozcan is being targeted by Rangers for a potential summer move with the FC Koln midfielder said to have already been approached by Steven Gerrard.
Here’s the good part, he is available on a free transfer which, at a time when money is tight, will be music to the directors’ ears.
Ozcan, on paper, fits the profile of transfer that we have already seen this summer with the addition of Fashion Sakala, he is a player on an upward trajectory and is capped at every age group by Germany, no mean feat when you consider the quality of midfielder that they usually produce. Not only would he be able to impact the first-team now, but there is plenty of room for further development and for his price tag to rise – think Glen Kamara for example.
Football writer and analyst, Patrick Caskie, has provided an insight into what Ozcan might bring to the Rangers midfield in comparison to his potential peers in the Scottish Premiership and the early signs are good:
🇩🇪| Salih Özcan – Rangers Transfer Rumour
Kicker has reported that the FC Köln midfielder has been identified as a target for Rangers, with the idea of Özcan coming in as part of contingency planning in the event any of the current midfielders depart this summer. pic.twitter.com/H6CqEne5xk
— Patrick Caskie (@CaskiePatrick) June 1, 2021
Remember, Koln only narrowly escaped relegation so it can be assumed that playing in a better team, with better players, that dominates possession, we should see a rise in most of these numbers.
It’s encouraging that he seems to be very comfortable in possession not only in terms of passing but also dribbling and shooting, that he wins over 70% of his aerial duels also suggests that he would be able to handle himself in the Scottish Premiership.
A current German Under-21 international with over 100 appearances between the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, on a free transfer? The proverbial no-brainer.