-
News
- 12 hours ago
Rangers handed 48-HOUR transfer deadline over record signing
Cameron Smith
- 23 Jun 2025 11:15 BST
- 4 min read
News
AEK Athens have reportedly set a 48-hour transfer deadline to finalise a deal with Rangers for Cyriel Dessers.
The 30-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the Greek giants over a three-year contract, although AEK are yet to reach an agreement over a transfer fee.
Current ETV
Cyriel Dessers
F (C)
Rangers
Cyriel Dessers
F (C)
Rangers
ETV Range
€2.1M - €3.1M
Rangers are holding out for €5.84m (£5m), while AEK are currently only willing to pay €4.67m (£4m) for the Nigerian’s services.
As a result, AEK have now set a 48-hour deadline on talks, according to The Scottish Sun, as they aim to complete a deal as soon as possible.
They are eager for Dessers to travel to the Netherlands for a pre-season training camp and club chiefs are locked in advanced negotiations as a transfer edges closer to completion.
If AEK opt to match Rangers’ asking price for Dessers, he will become the most expensive African player to ever move to the Greek top flight, surpassing Brown Idea, who joined Olympiacos for €5.42m in 2016.
Rangers told to sign Lawrence Shankland
Rangers are already searching for a replacement for Dessers and former Gers striker Steven Naismith believes Lawrence Shankland would be the perfect signing for Russell Martin.
Shankland has scored 40 goals across his last two seasons and he is available on a free transfer after opting against signing a new contract with Hearts.
Naismith told The Scottish Sun: “In one respect I’m surprised. He’s [Shankland] as safe a bet as you’re going to get for scoring goals in Scotland.
“What goes against him is probably his mobility but he’s just a really intelligent player now.
“He’s a good link between midfield and attack as well as a goal scorer. The other dynamics, which would come into any thought of signing him, is his age.
“He’s somebody who’s probably seen as being in and around his prime. Is he going to be your main striker? Is he not?”
Naismith added: “I saw it with Kris Boyd at Rangers who was probably similar in terms of goal return. Walter Smith never played him in Europe and never played him in Old Firms. But Walter was a manager with loads of experience and know-how to handle him.
“I’m not saying Shanks is like-for-like but they’re the kind of challenges you have to think about.
“In one respect it would be a free transfer but that means it’s still expensive to sign players who are scoring 30 goals a season on a free.
“But I’m sure Shanks will definitely have some offers because for two seasons he’s just been unbelievable.”
Football transfer news headlines today
Rangers open talks with €9m star Russell Martin wants to build his team around
Rangers to sign England star who LOVES Brendan Rodgers
Dessers is going! Six signings Russell Martin can make to replace Rangers striker
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
