‘Dessers could be forced to empty out Auchenhowie locker as soon as he fills it’
Cyriel Dessers has been the subject of plenty of transfer speculation this summer as his Rangers future remains up in the air.
The Nigerian frontman quickly established himself as one of the Bears’ key men last season, and even ended the campaign as the Premiership’s top scorer with 18 league strikes to his name. His form last term has understandably caught the eye of other teams, and it now seems as though he is destined to leave Govan this summer.
AEK Athens have a long-standing interest in Dessers, who has often been the source of frustration for plenty of Rangers fans for his somewhat wasteful finishing at times.
Kevin Thelwell will be keen to supply Russell Martin with the additions he needs to make the squad capable of competing with Celtic, but it now looks like one of his first priorities will be to replace Dessers.
Dessers will be out of Auchenhowie just as quickly as he returns
It has been suggested that Rangers could be open to selling Dessers for as little as £4million, amid the protracted interest from the Greek giants.
AEK are still yet to finalise a deal for Dessers, according to Sky Sports’ Sahil Jaidka (17 June – 14.18).
The striker is due to return to Auchenhowie with the rest of his teammates when pre-season training commences on Monday (23 June), but with AEK still very keen on the idea of securing an agreement to bring Dessers to Greece, he may ultimately end up emptying out his locker just as soon as he fills it.
Dessers’ exit links have come at a bad time for Rangers
Given Rangers’ schedule this summer, the speculation surrounding Dessers couldn’t really have come at a worse time for the club.
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| 2024/25 | 55 | 29 | 6 |
| 2023/24 | 54 | 22 | 7 |
| Total | 109 | 51 | 13 |
Martin won’t have to wait long to get his first taste of competitive action in charge of the Ibrox outfit, with his side facing the small matter of a Champions League qualifier in the early stages of July.
Rangers will require plenty of work on and off the pitch this summer as they move into a new era, but that early European date should be a reminder that they must work quickly and efficiently in order to give themselves the best chance of progression.
It remains to be seen how long it will take for Dessers’ seemingly inevitable exit to be finalised, but if a deal isn’t settled in the next week or two, Rangers should contemplate the possibility of keeping the striker until later in the window, to ensure they don’t leave themselves short for what will be crucial ties for the club.