Panathinaikos ready Cyriel Dessers bid after Rangers respond to £4.5m move
Panathinaikos are set to join AEK Athens in the race for Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers.
Russell Martin has still not ruled out Dessers’ departure this summer, despite his side’s poor start to the season.
The Englishman is under pressure after Rangers drew 1-1 with St. Mirren on Sunday 24 August, in what was their third consecutive Scottish Premiership match without a win.
AEK Athens failed with an initial bid for Dessers earlier this summer, but the Greek side are yet to drop their interest completely.
The Nigeria international was missing against both Club Brugge and St. Mirren after suffering from an apparent injury to his knee.
Panathinaikos readying bid for ‘ideal man’ Cyriel Dessers
Dessers was key for Rangers last season, scoring 29 goals across all competitions in what was ultimately a disappointing campaign for the Gers.
And the striker scored and assisted against Viktoria Plzen to open his tally for this season, despite the questions surrounding his future.
Dessers is reportedly keen on a fresh start before the window closes, with Martin appearing unable to convince the 30-year-old that his future lies in Scotland.
- Rangers signed Cyriel Dessers from Cremonese in 2023, paying around £4.5m.
- In his two seasons, the striker has made 115 appearances and scored 52 goals.
Rangers have signed several players this summer, including Oliver Antman and Djeidi Gassama, but would be expected to dip back into the market should they lose their number nine.
The Daily Record reported on 26 August that Panathinaikos are now preparing a bid for the former Cremonese man, who previously agreed personal terms with AEK Athens but had a £4.5million bid rejected by the Light Blues.
The Greek side are keen on Dessers, and view him as the ideal man to replace the outgoing Fotis Ioanidis.
Rangers could return for Jamie Vardy if Cyriel Dessers departs
Rangers were linked to Premier League veteran Jamie Vardy earlier in the summer, and could return for the 38-year-old if Dessers does get his move.
The striker is available on a free transfer following his departure from Leicester City, and could provide a superb stop-gap for Martin.
A Premier League title winner, Vardy amassed 145 goals in more than 300 appearances in England’s top flight.
| Jamie Vardy | Leicester City |
| Appearances | 500 |
| Goals | 200 |
| Assists | 71 |
Despite his age, the former England international has shown no signs of slowing down, scoring nine goals for Leicester last season in 35 appearances.
Vardy still offers blinding pace and elite finishing, and would be more than capable of applying the finishing touch to the crosses supplied by Antman and Gassama.
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