Keith Wyness: Rangers could accept offer for star that’s £7m higher than one rejected in January
Rangers will back Youssef Chermiti until the end of the season in order to try and increase the value of the striker.
That is according to ex-Aberdeen, Aston Villa, and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after Rangers rejected a £13million bid for Chermiti from Fenerbahce in the January transfer window.
Rangers could have been willing to sell Chermiti if a replacement could have been found for the 21-year-old at Ibrox.
Chermiti has scored just four Scottish Premiership goals in 17 appearances for Rangers this season since his arrival from Everton.
Danny Rohl in a ‘strong position’ at Rangers
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – was “surprised” that Rangers did not accept Fenerbahce’s offer for Chermiti.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the Gers could be looking for up to £20m for Chermiti in the summer.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s just the same as Celtic with Engels basically. I think Danny Rohl’s in a pretty strong position. I was surprised that they turned down the Fenerbahce offer for Chermiti.
“I did think that would be one that they would have to accept. They’d have made a small amount of money on it, but I think there was still some baggage with Chermiti. But obviously, Danny Rohl likes him, and he sees him as part of that squad.
“And again, selling, although it’s tempting, would have reduced his choices going forward, and they’re in a title race. And as we’ve said, both those managers are in strong positions right now to go to the board and say, no, I want all the options I’ve got, and if we’re going to do this, let’s sort it out at the end of the season.
“While we’re still in this title race, let’s give me all I can, all the ammunition I can. Now, Chermiti has scored a couple of key goals, not many, but he has scored a couple of good ones, and he has got raw talent, we all know that. And certainly, look, if he has a good second half of the season, they could probably get up to £20 million for him. So, potentially that’s what they’re thinking.”
New signing makes first Rangers appearance
Rangers got a first sight of Ryan Naderi against Kilmarnock, with the striker having joined in January from Hansa Rostock.
Danny Rohl’s side ran out comfortable 5-1 winners at Ibrox, with Naderi coming off the bench to replace Thelo Aasgaard on the hour mark.
The home support also got to see Andreas Skov Olsen score his first goal for the club since his January arrival, in a victory which moves Rangers within three points of league leaders Hearts.