Worrying update on Youssef Chermiti's record-breaking move to Rangers emerges

Youssef Chermiti is now a Rangers player, following his deadline day move to Ibrox, but there is plenty of scepticism over the deal.

Rangers were desperate for a striker after the sales of Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers, and Chermiti has followed Bojan Miovski into Ibrox as a new centre-forward.

A record-breaking fee was spent on Chermiti, as Rangers' biggest transfer since Tore Andre Flo 25 years ago, and their biggest ever fee spent in a summer window.

Kevin Thelwell brought Chermiti to Everton two years ago, and has now invested heavily into the 21-year-old, but a very worrying detail about the transfer has now emerged.

Rangers were the only club willing to pay for Youssef Chermiti

Many are questioning the fee paid for Chermiti, given that he has not scored a single goal at Everton in two years, and there will be huge pressure on the young striker to deliver.

Other clubs were interested in the Portugal under-21 striker, with Chermiti previously earning praise from Luis Figo before his move to Everton.

• Chermiti is Rangers' biggest signing since Andre Flo in 2000, who joined as a proven striker from Chelsea but failed to live up to expectations.
• Andre Flo had scored 50 goals in 163 appearances for Chelsea prior to his arrival at Ibrox.
• Meanwhile, Chermiti failed to score in 24 games for Everton, and managed three in 22 for Sporting Club De Portugal.

However, The Athletic have now reported that clubs in England, Spain and Germany were interested in Chermiti, but only on loan.

The only side willing to even pay a fee for the Everton attacker was Rangers, and with Chermiti not in David Moyes' plans, the Toffees were willing to sanction a deal.

• Read more: Nico Raskin has issues to resolve with Rangers figure as loan exit falls through

Youssef Chermiti's injury record a concern

This new development may serve as a red flag to Rangers fans, that they were the only club willing to pay a fee and take a gamble on Chermiti, and there are further concerns.

Part of the reason Chermiti only appeared 22 times in two years for Everton was that he missed 24 games, and a combined 171 days through injuries to a hamstring and foot, and there will be worries that this could continue at Rangers.

Paying such a big fee for a player no one else wanted, with no goals to his name, and a poor injury history, is perhaps the biggest risk Rangers have taken in years, and if it backfires, the blame will fall firmly at Thelwell's door.

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