Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in securing the services of Turkish defender Ridvan Yilmaz from Besiktas in the summer.
According to a report from Turkish publication TRT Spor, Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Besiktas youngster Ridvan Yilmaz in the upcoming transfer window.
Having come through the youth ranks at Besiktas, Yilmaz made his first-team debut in 2019 at the age of 17 and has gradually grown into a regular in the starting lineup over the past couple of years. The 20-year-old has played 59 matches in all competitions, scoring four goals and setting up seven more.
Yilmaz has enjoyed a positive 2021/22 term, putting up a return of three goals and four assists in 24 league matches. The youngster broke into the Turkish national team last year and has made six appearances already. His gradual rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed as clubs from across Europe have taken note of his talents.
Indeed, there is interest from Lyon in France and Atalanta in Italy, while Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur have also shown a liking towards Yilmaz ahead of the summer transfer window.
Tottenham have three players who can play at left-back in the form of Ben Davies, Sergio Reguilon and Ryan Sessegnon. Among the trio, Davies has been regularly used as a left-sided centre-back, whereas Reguilon and Sessegnon have shared game-time as the left wing-back. However, neither have been consistent enough to nail down the spot for themselves.
In addition, Reguilon is linked with a return to La Liga, with Barcelona interested in the former Real Madrid left-back. Furthermore, reports have indicated that Antonio Conte would be open to offloading the Spanish international. Such a move would create an opening for a new left wing-back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Yilmaz, to that end, has emerged as an enticing target for the north London outfit. The 20-year-old has excelled playing in the wing-back role for Besiktas and has the attacking capabilities to thrive in Conte’s system at Tottenham. Furthermore, he is entering the final year of his contract with the Turkish club at the end of the season and could be available for a bargain in the summer.
It remains to be seen if Tottenham act on their reported interest in Yilmaz in the summer or decide to look at other options if they decide to sell Reguilon.
