When Rangers could part ways with Youssef Chermiti as Lyon make direct approach
Rangers have been in talks with Olympique Lyon over the potential sale of Youssef Chermiti.
The Ligue 1 side are the latest team to be added to the growing list of admirers for the Ibrox star.
Lyon have made the Portuguese forward their top striker priority this summer, though the same can be said for other clubs in Europe.
Derek McInnes will be able to make his first judgement on Chermiti in pre-season, as the new boss will have to decide his favoured formation with Lawrence Shankland signing.
However, the Bears may need to sanction some sales this summer, and Andrew Cavenagh will know the price for the number nine.
Lyon have made a direct approach for Chermiti, as Rangers' stance over a possible sale has become clear.
Rangers want to keep Youssef Chermiti for one more season
Lyon showed their interest in Chermiti last month, and were said to be weighing up a multi-million-pound package deal for the striker.
No verdict was delivered on what the Bears thought about a possible sale, though it seems the French side have taken the next step in their pursuit.
According to an update from Foot Mercato, Lyon's head of recruitment has directly contacted Rangers staff over Chermiti.
The former French champions are said to be willing to offer £12m with a possible £3.4m in bonuses, which would not be enough to satisfy the 49ers.
Cavenagh and Co. are said to be determined to keep hold of Chermiti for another season, and have made their exit stance clear as day.
However, the 22-year-old "ticks all the boxes" for Lyon, and so they could decide to up their potential offer.
There is a possible timeline for Chermiti's exit, but it could depend on several reasons.
When Rangers could realistically part ways with Chermiti
Rangers know they have the grounds to be able to keep Chermiti for another season, as the striker is just one year into a long-term contract
The Bears aren't in desperate need to sell either, though they may understand if the former Everton man builds on his first year at Ibrox, interested clubs will only start to put even more money on the table.
It is said that Rangers value Chermiti at £25m, a price tag that other clubs don't seem to believe in as of yet.
The player hasn't shown signs that he wants to leave, but if he performs for McInnes next season, £25m would look a no-brainer for potential suitors, considering his potential.
There's no guarantee that Rangers would up his price drastically further, as the value set out is almost a cut above what he's performing like now, in terms of value.
Unless a club gets serious, Rangers may only part ways with Chermiti this time next year, as keeping him beyond that would become a difficult task, especially if he continues to develop.