Rangers forced to weigh January transfer decision as Celtic deal contributes in ‘bonafide’ Cyriel Dessers update

On January 31, the newspaper stated on its website that the Italian teams Hellas Verona and Torino are showing “genuine” interest in the Nigerian attacker.And in reaction, the former seem to have focused on the Gers striker after coming dangerously near to making a move for Adam Idah, who is now on his way to Celtic; the Norwich man is now on his way to Parkhead on a loan-to-buy agreement [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

Rangers’ desire to hold onto Dessers in the face of real transfer interest may have appeared absurd at times during the first few months of the season. His difficulties since coming from Italy are widely known, but as his colleagues are ruled out, he seems to be rising to the occasion and taking the lead in the line.

Despite his lackluster influence, Sam Lammers’ loan departure to FC Utrecht earlier in the window was not a huge setback. However, with 12 goals and seven assists across all competitions so far this season, Dessers may finally be improving.

He is far from clinical enough currently, but with less than 48 hours until the window shuts there is surely no way that Philippe Clement can contemplate losing the only fit number nine he has in the squad.

Another striker to back him up seemed like the most glaring need as the January window opened, and while Silva has arrived as an attacking option and a deal for Oscar Cortes is being worked on neither are centre-forwards. If Clement comes out of the window without adding a striker it is already going to be risky, so losing what he has would be an incredible gamble.

It may seem unusual but offers are likely to be handled similarly to how a late approach for Jack Butland has been handled—that is, even if significant money was on offer, there would be little time to spend it. In other Rangers news, as the team prepares for a “really hectic” finale to the window at Ibrox, the signing policy has altered.

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