Rangers forced to weigh January transfer decision as Celtic deal contributes in ‘bonafide’ Cyriel Dessers update.
According to the Daily Record, Rangers must weigh the possibility of losing Cyriel Dessers against their current lack of attacking options.
On January 31, the tabloid stated on its website that Italian clubs Hellas Verona and Torino have expressed “bona fide” interest in the Nigerian forward.
And the former appear to have shifted their focus to the Gers striker in response to being close to signing the now-Celtic-bound Adam Idah, with the Norwich man now on loan at Parkhead [Daily Record, 31 January].
But with Abdallah Sima, Danilo and Kemar Roofe all out with injury at Ibrox, and loan signing Fabio Silva “finding his feet” it means that if a bid arrives for Dessers “any deal to allow the 29-year-old to leave would be factored against the lack of attacking options at Rangers.”
Impossible
During the first few months of the season, it may have been foolish for Rangers to cling to Dessers in the face of serious transfer interest.
His problems since arriving from Italy are well documented. However, he appears to be standing up to the job of leading the line as his teammates are ruled out.
Sam Lammers’ loan exit to FC Utrecht earlier this summer was less heartbreaking since his impact is minor, but with 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions this season, Dessers could be on the verge.
He is far from clinical right now, but with less than 48 hours until the transfer window closes, Philippe Clement cannot afford to lose the only fit number nine in the squad.
As the January window started, there was a clear need for a backup striker. While Silva has come as an attacking alternative and a deal for Oscar Cortes is in the works, neither are center-forwards.
If Clement exits the market without signing a striker, it will already be hazardous, so losing what he has would be a huge gamble.
Even if a large sum of money is on offer, there is little time to spend it, so, bizarre as it may appear, offers are likely to be handled in the same way that a late approach for Jack Butland has been and dismissed.
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