Rangers star's potential £3.5m exit played down, new manager 'not interested' in January deals
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Last week, the future of Rangers’ £4.5 million took another twist as rumours continue to swirl surrounding a potential departure from Ibrox in 2025.
In the space of only a few weeks, one of the few successes of the Mick Beale era – and the extent of his success is debatable, really – has gone from first-choice to third-choice under Philippe Clement.
It felt telling that Clement opted to start Hamza Igamane over the far more experienced Cyriel Dessers as Rangers faced Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final. The former Monaco boss then turned to Danilo before bringing on Dessers in extra time, the ever-divisive centre-forward further alienating sections of the Gers fanbase when he was nowhere to be seen during the eventual penalty shoot-out heartbreak.
Having turned 30 this month, Rangers may now look to recoup some of their £4.5 million investment.
Le Republic Sportif say that Cyriel Dessers may be heading to France with St Etienne. The Ligue 1 outfit could reportedly make a move for around £3.5 million, though reports suggest that St Etienne want a younger option than Rangers’ number nine.
That, meanwhile, is not the only reason why his chances of a switch to France’s second-most successful club have taken a hit.
St Etienne boss ‘not interested’ in transfers amid links with Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers
Olivier Dall’Oglio was in charge of Les Verts when Dessers was linked for the first time recently.
His sacking, and the subsequent appointment of Eirik Horneland, now means there will be another face attempting to secure survival while presiding over the January transfer window.
Speaking to L’Equipe, Horneland admits that he wants an aggressive, attack-minded St Etienne side. With only 12 goals from 15 matches, attacking additions would certainly be welcomed with open arms by the Stade Geoffrey Guichard fanbase.
Horneland, however, is focusing not on transfers but on getting the best out of those currently at his disposal. Clearly, the Norwegian idealist feels that the solutions can be found on the training pitch, not in the market.
“We want to be a proactive team which goes on the offensive very quickly while remaining focused on defence,” Horneland explains. “I think we can achieve this thanks to the support of the fans.
“First, we will look at the players individually, the goal being to get the best out of each of them. Then, we will have to put the plans in place. For me, it is important to have an offensive style of play. That is what the fans expect.
“I am fully aware of the situation [St Etienne are 16th in an 18-team league]. Our role is to improve performances as quickly as possible to achieve our goals. By working hard every day, that’s the only thing to do.
“My goal is to work with the existing team and provide collective work. I am convinced that players in the team already have great technical abilities. Building on that should allow us to work well.
“To be honest, I am not interested in the transfer window at the moment. I prefer to focus on getting to know the players, listening to them and working together.”
Ross McCormack backs Dessers over Danilo at Ibrox
Dessers has almost three years left on his Rangers contract. If he was to stay until the summer of 2027, he would depart the Glasgow giants shortly before his 34th birthday.
As far as potential replacements go, meanwhile, Rangers are reportedly offering £2.4m for Iqraam Rayners of South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns. Then again, at the age of 29 himself, the logic of such a move may come into question.
Former Rangers hitman Ross McCormack is not giving up on Dessers just yet, however. If he was given the option of keeping either Dessers or Danilo, he would snap your hand off for the former.
"I'm happy to say something right now; See, if I get the choice of Dessers or Danilo, I take Dessers every time,” McCormack says. "I'm not having Danilo."
“I don't think [Dessers] is amazing. I don't think he is by any stretch of the imagination amazing. But, if you offered me Dessers or Danilo, I take Dessers all day long.
"I think he's strong, tenacious. Yeah, he'll miss the odd chance but Danilo just looks injured to me, all the time. Every time he plays, he looks injured.
"I'd take Igamane over Dessers, for sure. But not Danilo."
