Cyriel Dessers transfer still not ruled out, everything is open at Rangers
Cyriel Dessers has been strongly linked with a move away from Rangers this summer.
AEK Athens have been attempting to sign Dessers for much of the summer, with the Gers so far sticking to their £5million asking price.
The Nigeria international is one of two Rangers forwards who have looked likely to leave this summer, with Lille and Feyenoord also attempting to sign Hamza Igamane.
Dessers was forced off against Viktoria Plzen with a suspected knee injury, but Russell Martin has since confirmed it isn’t as bad as first thought.
Cyriel Dessers departure still possible
Dessers was impressive last season, scoring 29 goals in all competitions for Rangers and providing seven assists.
The 30-year-old looked to be open to a move away this summer, however, with AEK Athens offering a fresh start in a new league.
But the Greek side have so far been unwilling to match Rangers’ asking price, with their highest bid coming in at around £3.8m.
| Cyriel Dessers | Rangers |
| Appearances | 115 |
| Goals | 52 |
| Assists | 17 |
Martin hopes to keep one of Dessers or Igamane at Ibrox this summer, with Brazilian striker Danilo the head coach’s only other option.
Rangers have instead strengthened significantly on the wings, with Oliver Antman and Djeidi Gassama impressing on either side since their arrivals.
Mikey Moore also arrived on loan from Tottenham, and Thelo Aasgaard from Luton Town, in a deal worth around £3.5m.
- Other arrivals: Joe Rothwell, Emmanuel Fernandez, Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons
- Departures: Robin Propper, Leon Balogun, Robbie Fraser
But Rangers are still expected to approach further reinforcements, and a sizable fee received for Dessers could assist in that objective.
AEK Athens are still in for the striker, it was reported by Giannis Chorianopoulos on 17 August, and a move for the 30-year-old should not be ruled out before the end of the window.
It is said that everything remains open.
Can Rangers afford to let Cyriel Dessers go?
Dessers has so often been the main man for Rangers since he arrived from Cremonese in 2023.
But perhaps his departure could offer Martin a way to stamp his authority with a new front-man, should the Gers have a replacement in mind.
£5m would certainly give Rangers a boost going into the final weeks of the transfer window, and Dessers’ exit would be freeing up a chunk of the wage bill.
Martin must ask himself, however, if his team can adapt without the man they have turned to for key moments over the last two seasons.
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