If a report from Turkish outlet En Sen Haber is believed to be true, Rangers have submitted an offer for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Berke Ozer. But they are not alone in the race as the likes of Benfica and Anderlecht are also keen on tying him down, given his availability on a Bosman.
Ozer, 22, spent the majority of his youth spell with Altınordu before breaking into their senior side as a teenager. The emerging custodian impressed the scouts of the Yellow Canaries, who roped him in for €4m back in the summer of 2018. He made his debut for Fenerbahce later that year but was eventually shipped on loan to Westerlo for first-team football. The youngster returned to his parent club last summer after a couple of successful seasons in the Belgian First Division B and went on to feature 19 times, including three European outings.
Although the Turkish giants offered him a new deal, Ozer has already confirmed his exit in search of a fresh challenge as well as more minutes. He spent the 2021-22 season as the understudy to Altay Bayındır, however, a move to Ibrox might hand him an immediate starting status.
Why Rangers Should Step Up The Chase
Rangers are yet to decide whether to undergo the process of a contract renewal for 40-year-old Allan McGregor. The veteran Scotsman, a bona fide club legend, is at the twilight of an eventful career, whereas Jon McLaughlin, the Gers ‘number 2’, has only been viewed as a sporadic option behind his fellow countryman. Highly-rated Robby McCrorie seems not to be in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s plan and the Light Blues are on the hunt for a new keeper amid interest in Martin Fraisl, Vladan Kovacevic and Jack Butland.
Ozer received an international call-up early into his career but is yet to make his senior debut despite representing Turkey at various youth levels, most recently the u21s. Meanwhile, he was supposed to challenge for the ‘number 1’ role following his return to Fener. But things did not go in his favour as he failed to cement his place in the injury absence of Bayındır.
The young shot-stopper conceded 17 goals in 14 games and grabbed 3 cleansheets in the Super Lig campaign. The numbers might not look impressive, but age is on Ozer’s side, who has a much higher ceiling. The Gers, therefore, need to make the call before the other suitors jump in and secure his services prior to the upcoming term.
