Oumar Diakite passes medical after Rangers advanced talks over deadline-busting deal
Rangers are aiming to complete several deadline day deals, and striker Oumar Diakite was targeted for a late move.
Cyriel Dessers is set to complete a move to Panathinaikos, following fellow striker Hamza Igamane out of the door at Ibrox.
Rangers have already found two replacements as Youssef Chermiti’s record move is on the verge of completion, while Bojan Miovski has joined from Girona.
However, Diakite was of interest to Rangers as an additional striker and advanced talks were reportedly held, with a medical now completed.
Rangers miss out on Oumar Diakite
Rangers have now missed out on Diakite, as the striker has now agreed a move elsewhere, and that might be that in terms of incoming strikers after Chermiti.
Sacha Tavolieri has now reported that Cercle Brugge are set to sign Diakite, on loan with an option to buy, and the player has already completed a medical.
- Diakite scored four times in 26 Ligue 1 games for Stade De Reims last season.
- The 21-year-old has netted twice in 15 senior appearances for the Ivory Coast National Team.
This comes after Rangers were reportedly quoted £8.6 million as an asking price for Diakite, and they may now be frustrated that he was seemingly available on a non-commital loan.
Chermiti and Miovski are now set to be Rangers’ options upfront for the season, and Russell Martin will have to get the best out of them both.
- Read more: Russell Martin in ‘big trouble’ as Rangers transfer news continues to fly in – Chris Sutton
Oumar Diakite could have been better than Youssef Chermiti
Diakite’s move to Cercle Brugge had an option, rather than an obligation to buy, and this was a much less risky move than Rangers paying a historical fee for Chermiti.
Chermiti is the same age as Diakite, except he has less top-flight experience, less senior goals and no International experience, unlike the Ivorian.
Kevin Thelwell may be convinced that such a big investment into Chermiti will prove to be a masterstroke, but if he fails to settle quickly, many will rue the day that he was signed instead of pursuing a loan deal for Diakite.
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