Russell Martin is said to have his eye on Arsenal stopper Hein
21:21, 13 Aug 2025Updated 21:23, 13 Aug 2025
Karl Hein
Karl Hein(Image: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Turkish outfit Rizespor have joined the race to sign reported Rangers' target Karl Hein.
Sources in Germany linked the Arsenal goalkeeper to the Gers earlier this month, with the Estonia international keen to leave the Emirates in search of first team football, having made just one senior outing for the Gunners.
Hein spent the whole of last season on loan at Real Valladolid, and while the Spaniards were relegated from La Liga he is also said to be on the radar of Sevilla.
And now Turkish transfer guru Reşat Can Özbudak (via 90min.tr) writes that top-flight club Rizespor have opened negotiations with Mikel Arteta's side over a potential deal.
Reports coming out of Turkey also claim that former Ibrox loanee Vaclav Cerny has said 'yes' to join Besiktas.
The Czech Republic star returned to parent club Wolfsburg earlier this summer after bagging 18 goals for the Light Blues last season.
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League rivals Trabzonspor had also expressed an interest in signing the winger earlier this summer but*Fanatik* report that it's the Istanbul giants who are primed to secure his signature.
They add that the 27-year-old is keen on the move, with the two clubs now needing to agree on a fee.
Wolfsburg are said to be holding out for at least €8 million (£6.9million) for Cerny, who they only signed from FC Twente in the Netherlands two years ago.
In the wake of Rangers' disappointing 1-1 draw against Motherwell on the opening weekend of the Premiership season, pundit Michael Stewart had questioned why Ibrox transfer chiefs didn't go more to sign the player permanently.
Vaclav Cerny
Vaclav Cerny
Speaking on Sportscene, he said: "They had a fee and a deal in place to sign Vaclav Cerny. I appreciate that the management team structure wasn't in place but somebody in that club has got to recognise 'this is as good a guy as we are going to get'. He was already in the building.
"Do the deal and sign him. Instead, you are left with Kieran Dowell playing wide right. That is just not going to work.
"They are going to be signing at least four starting XI players for them to be competitive. And you are not convinced, with what they have done so far, that it is going to get them to that stage.
"Mikey Moore will absolutely excite the supporters. But he is 17 years old. I go back to my point, they had Vaclav Cerny, 25-26-year old and already in the rhythm and the system.
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"Instead you have got a 17-year-old loanee who you are hanging a lot on his shoulders."