Callum O'Connell

Wed 31 January 2024 16:45, UK

Chris Jack has claimed it would take “silly money” for Rangers to entertain a bid for Cyriel Dessers in the closing stages of the January transfer window.

The Rangers Review journalist reported that the deal may have been considered earlier in the window, but at this stage, it would be too difficult for the club to sanction despite links to teams in Serie A [Gianluca Di Marzio, 30 January].

It was also said that talks could take place with the Nigeria international striker in the summer to determine his long-term stance at Ibrox, with his future still up for debate.

Speaking to The Rangers Review [31 January], Jack reported: “If this had been earlier in the window if it had been a week or 10 days into it, I think it would have been a different conversation for Rangers. I think they’d have looked at whatever package was potentially on the table.

“Right now, with 36 hours left or whatever it is, it becomes very, very difficult for Rangers. It has gone slightly quiet in terms of striker links over the last couple of days, and I would be surprised. Unless it’s silly money on the table for Dessers or for anyone, I don’t see Rangers doing that much.

“Come the summer, there’s a conversation to be had around Dessers. Has he contributed enough, has he justified the outlay, has he been part of a successful Rangers team?

“He’s one of the guys whose future is going to be very much up for debate at the end of the season, but with a couple of days to go in the window, I don’t think Rangers can afford to do it.”

Can’t afford to let him go now

There was a time not too long ago that Rangers fans would have bitten your hand off for Dessers to leave the club in January, with a disappointing start to his Ibrox career leading to frustrations, particularly after his performance in the Old Firm defeat at Parkhead.

Weeks later, however, those frustrations have been eased by a strong run of form that has cemented his place as the first-choice number nine at Ibrox, and someone the club cannot afford to let go.

With less than 48 hours remaining in the January transfer window, an exit for Dessers would leave Rangers scrambling to replace him with a new striker, and a rushed incoming deal would likely end badly as has been seen before.

As Jack says, earlier in the window this deal could have been entertained, a new arrival could have been lined up and the move could have been made, but at this stage, it is way too late to entertain any incoming bids.

In other Rangers news, a new £5m+ exit demand has been made at Ibrox.

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