‘I doubt it will happen’ – Club chief casts doubt on Jan move for Rangers linked attacker
Peterborough United co-owner Darragh MacAnthony doubts that Siriki Dembele will move away from London Road this month with Rangers reportedly interested in the 24-year-old.
The Peterborough Telegraph first reported that there was interest from Rangers back in December while also linking Celtic, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest with a move for the forward.
MacAnthony has now claimed that the best thing for Dembele would be to stay with the Posh until the summer with the co-owner casting doubt over a winter transfer.
MacAnthony is quoted by the Peterborough Telegraph as saying, “I’ve spoken to Siriki and his family and I was very fair with him and he was very fair with me.
“He wants to play higher which is fair enough, but I doubt it will happen in January so the best thing for Siriki to do is stay here, play out of his skin for the rest of the season and then I will help him get a move if he still wants it.”
Dembele handed in a transfer request earlier this month as he looked to force a move away but MacAnthony clearly wants the forward to remain with Peterborough until the end of the season.
It is not surprising that MacAnthony wants to keep Dembele at London Road after the 24-year-old picked up five goals and seven assists in 19 League One appearances during the first half of this season.
He is clearly a vital player for Posh which could mean that if a bid is submitted this month or in the summer then it may have to be pretty hefty to convince the club to depart with their star man.
Rangers do have an advantage when it comes to the pursuit of Dembele with the striker out of contract in the summer.
This means they could approach him on a pre-contract deal this month but with plenty of attacking talent already at Ibrox, this looks doubtful at the moment.
The Gers will certainly be avoiding paying the £3million fee that, according to the Peterborough Telegraph, Posh are demanding for Dembele.
Maybe we will see the club revisit this one in the summer.
In other Rangers news, the club have reportedly made an approach for a defender and midfielder from an English club.