Cyriel Dessers, the Nigerian international striker currently playing for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, finds himself at a career crossroads. His inconsistent performances this season, coupled with the emergence of other attacking talents at Rangers, have relegated him to a less prominent role. This situation has caught the attention of French Ligue 1 side Saint Etienne, who are battling relegation and actively seeking reinforcements for their struggling squad. While Dessers’ potential availability presents an intriguing opportunity for the French club, the financial aspects of any potential deal pose a significant hurdle.
Saint Etienne’s interest in Dessers stems from his reduced playing time at Rangers and the perceived opportunity to acquire a player with proven goalscoring ability at a potentially discounted price. Dessers’ six goals and two assists in 18 league appearances, while not spectacular, suggest untapped potential that Saint Etienne might believe they can unlock. However, Rangers’ recent rejection of a £4.5m bid from Atlanta United, coupled with their reported desire to recoup their initial £6m investment, indicates a potential valuation mismatch between the two clubs. Saint Etienne’s apparent willingness to spend up to €5m on other targets suggests that meeting Rangers’ asking price for Dessers might prove challenging.
Further complicating the situation are Saint Etienne’s other transfer priorities and Rangers’ own internal considerations. The French club are reportedly prioritizing a loan-to-buy deal for Rennes midfielder Baptiste Santamaria and are also pursuing Ajaccio defender Jesah Ayessa. These pursuits, alongside interest in Rosenborg’s Marius Broholm and Qatar-based left-back Matteo Dams, indicate a broader squad strengthening strategy that might limit their available resources for a Dessers acquisition. Meanwhile, Rangers are rumored to be considering potential replacements for Dessers, including South African striker Isaac Rayners, suggesting a growing acceptance within the club that the Nigerian’s departure might be imminent.
Dessers’ time at Rangers has been a mixed bag, marked by moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of frustrating inconsistency. Initially viewed as a key component of the team’s attack under former manager Philippe Clement, his recent dip in form has led to criticism from fans and speculation about his future. The emergence of Hamza Igamane and Danilo’s return from injury have further diminished Dessers’ role, pushing him down the pecking order and contributing to the sense that his time at Ibrox might be drawing to a close.
The financial implications of a potential transfer are a significant factor in the negotiations. Rangers’ desire to recoup their investment in Dessers clashes with Saint Etienne’s potentially limited budget. The French club’s pursuit of multiple targets suggests a need to spread their resources, which might make it difficult to meet Rangers’ valuation of the Nigerian striker. Furthermore, Dessers’ wages, reportedly among the highest at Rangers, could also pose a challenge for Saint Etienne, who, according to reports, need to free up their wage bill before making any significant signings.
In conclusion, the potential transfer of Cyriel Dessers from Rangers to Saint Etienne is a complex situation involving various factors, including the player’s performance, both clubs’ financial situations, and their respective transfer priorities. While Saint Etienne’s interest is evident, the financial hurdles, coupled with their pursuit of other targets and Rangers’ willingness to consider replacements, suggest that a deal is far from certain. The coming weeks will likely be crucial in determining whether Dessers makes the switch to Ligue 1 or remains at Ibrox, fighting to regain his place in the Rangers squad.
