Serie A side Cagliari are reportedly set to ramp up their attempts to sign Cyriel Dessers after negotiations for another forward target broke down.
Nigeria international Dessers has fallen down the pecking order at Rangers, with summer signing Hamza Igamane firmly establishing himself as Philippe Clement‘s first choice man through the middle at Ibrox. However former Cremonese and Feyenoord forward Dessers has sent the Belgian a timely reminder of his qualities by netting a sublime goal in Thursday night’s dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester United in the Europa League just four days after he had bagged a hat trick in the 5-0 victory against Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup.
But despite his healthy goal return of 17 strikes in 34 games in all competitions, boss Clement has admitted that the 30-year-old could be moved on before the January window slams shut. Dessers is attracting interest from Italy, and Corriere dello Sport (via cagliarinews24))claim that Cagliari now have their gaze firmly fixed on the Gers number nine.
They report that with a deal to try and bring fellow Nigerian striker David Okereke – who is currently on loan at Turkish top tier side Gaziantep F.K. from Cremonese – unlikely to materialise, Dessers is now the Serie A club’s primary target. Cagliari boss Davide Nicola is said to be a big admirer of the player, who is also reportedly on his former club Empoli’s radar.
Rangers have made one signing so far this month, with the loan arrival of defender Rafael Fernandes from Lille. Clement’s injury woes are showing no signs of letting up and with three 18-year-olds having to come off the bench in Thursday’s defeat at Old Trafford, the Light Blues are in dire need of some more reinforcements.
Former Ibrox star Charlie Adam has detailed where he would like to see the club try and strengthen before the February 3 deadline, but has questioned just how much Clement will be allowed to spend. Speaking to Best Betting Sites, he said: “I think it’s probably maybe trimming the squad a little bit to then bring quality players in.
“You know, Rangers have had Yilmaz playing in a few different positions and stuff like that. Butland’s missed a couple of games obviously not through his own fault, with an injury, but they need to get some real quality at the top end of the pitch in terms of a striker who could score them a few goals.
“(Hamza) Igamane has done well enough, but he really needs to maybe add to that. I think they need to freshen up, maybe in a midfield position as well. But again, it comes down to finance, financially can you do it? I’m not too sure in terms of what they can do and what they can’t do, but what I would say is it’s a wonderful club with a great fan base and support.
“They will back the club no matter the situation they’re in, but they want to see that pride and that passion on the pitch. They want to have a connection with the players which at the moment I don’t feel is there, and the players have to now go and earn that trust from the supporters.”
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