Gers lock eyes on 26-year-old as second exit of January window inches closer – report

Gijs Smal, an out-of-contract left-back from the Netherlands,

has been linked to Rangers as Ridvan Yilmaz prepares to transfer to Verona of the Serie A.

It’s unclear how much the Rangers left-back will cost the Italian club,

but reports in Italy indicate they are about to finalise a deal.

Josh Doig, the Scottish left-back for Verona,

is among the many possible replacements for the Turkish international who Rangers have been linked to.

Gijs Smal is the most recent name to be cited in relation to Rangers’ search for an alternative,

given that Doig is also closely associated with Torino, a team in Serie A.

Although there have been speculations and whispers about the left-back on fan forums and social media,

the Daily Record has now formally connected Smal to the Rangers.

According to the source, Smal is Rangers’ fallback option in the event that

they are unable to pull off what we consider to

be an extremely improbable cash-plus-player trade for Josh Doig at Verona.

The FC Twente player, who finished the previous season as the Eredivisie’s leading assister with ten,

has an expiring contract and is currently free to negotiate terms with other teams.

Then, perhaps, Rangers may allocate the majority of the funds received from

the sale of Ridvan Yilmaz to other sections of the team.

As the team attempts to strengthen their offensive in advance of the second half of the season,

it might be a sensible move.

Twente uncertain about left-back’s future with Rangers

The news that FC Twente is releasing contract soundbites on the left-back will also give Rangers hope.

Speaking about the player’s circumstances in the Netherlands, former PSV striker Arnold Bruggink,

who serves as FC Twente’s technical director, has been mentioned.

While acknowledging to Voetbal International in September that FC Twente intended to extend Gijs Smal’s contract,

Bruggink asserted that it “won’t be easy” to persuade the defender to sign a new deal.

In December, when asked about Smal’s circumstances,

Bruggink paused and said, “I don’t know,” when asked if the player would be signing a new contract.

The Twente director allegedly stated, as quoted by the Scottish Sun:

“We’d very much like it if Gijs signed a new deal with us.”

However, we must regretfully be realistic about that aspect of his destiny.

Observing the scenario, Rangers supporters will be hoping Gijs Smal is available for a reduced transfer fee,

since any possible transfer of Ridvan Yilmaz is expected to increase Philippe Clement’s winter transfer budget.

Rangers have also been linked to Kai Wagner of the Philadelphia Union,

Fredrik Oppegard of PSV, and Owen Beck, a returning defender for Liverpool,

in addition to Smal and Josh Doig.

Another Eredivisie raid is reportedly Rangers’ goal for January,

with another player connected to Ibrox being a Netherlands U21 potential.

Ben Williamson, an Academy star, was previously sold by the Gers to Hamilton Academical,

and Yilmaz may be the second player to leave during the January window.