‘Cyriel Dessers’ Rangers exit hits roadblock’
Rangers are facing a tough challenge in their bid to sell Cyriel Dessers this summer despite serious interest from AEK Athens.
Supporters’ opinions have been split over the Nigerian international since his £4.3million move from Cremonense two summers ago [Fabrizio Romano], despite notching 51 goals in 109 appearances.
While he registers nearly a goal every two games, fans are far more concerned by his ability to squander chances, miss the target, and fail to help build the play by keeping hold of the ball.
With the new manager Russell Martin arriving at Ibrox, it is unclear what the future holds for much of the squad, though Football Insider understands that Rangers plan to build around Hamza Igamane and Nico Raskin.
The same cannot be said for Dessers, though. The 30-year-old has always doubled down on his ambition to do more for the Gers, and it looks as though his future could yet be in Scotland after the latest update.
AEK Athens want Cyriel Dessers deal
According to Sportime journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos in Greece via X, there has been no progress between the Gers and AEK Athens for a deal, with the two parties unable to agree on a transfer fee.
While it is understood that talks are ongoing, the Greek side are hoping to sign Dessers for less than £3.85million (€4.5million), though the Scottish side wants more this summer.
Russell Martin to rebuild Rangers squad ahead of 2025/26
Football Insider verdict
Martin has some tricky decisions ahead of him, but with Tom Lawrence, Leon Balogun, and Ianis Hagi already set to leave at the end of their contracts, some of those decisions have been made for him.
While the plan is to build around Raskin and Igamane, Mick Brown told Football Insider that Premier League clubs are interested in the former, most notably Leeds United, due to the owner links.
Selling other stars would certainly help the new manager to rebuild the current squad, but if the Gers are struggling to make a profit on Dessers, there may not be any luck with the remaining players.
The 30-year-old centre-forward netted 18 times in 35 Scottish Premiership games, and even played a key role in the Light Blues reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League before losing to Athletic Bilbao.
Only Celtic pair Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn, plus Hibernian’s Martin Boyle, registered more goal contributions in the league in 2024/25, but fans are still on the fence over his abilities.
Many believe that now is the time for the older generation of players to be moved on as a new era begins at Ibrox, but it could be important to keep some experienced stars around for a period of transition.