Cyriel Dessers Nearing Rangers Exit as AEK Athens Transfer Talks Progress
Cyriel Dessers appears to be edging closer to an exit from Rangers, with Greek giants AEK Athens pushing to finalise a deal for the striker. The 29-year-old Nigerian forward, who joined the Ibrox side in the summer of 2023, could be set for a new challenge in the Greek Super League after just one season in Scotland.
Dessers arrived at Rangers from Cremonese for a reported £4.5 million fee, with high expectations following a prolific spell in the Eredivisie and a strong European campaign with Feyenoord. However, his time at Ibrox has been mixed, drawing criticism from sections of the fanbase despite registering a decent goal tally. While his effort and work rate have rarely been questioned, inconsistency in front of goal has raised doubts over his long-term role under new boss Russell Martin.
AEK Athens have shown strong interest in bringing Dessers to Greece, and talks between the clubs have progressed in recent days. Reports suggest personal terms between Dessers and the Greek side are close to being agreed, and discussions are now focused on striking a deal over the transfer fee. Rangers are believed to be holding out for a figure close to the one they paid last summer, with negotiations ongoing over the final structure of the move.
Should the transfer go through, it would mark a swift end to Dessers’ time in Glasgow, where he struggled to fully settle amid managerial changes and a demanding fanbase. Russell Martin is reportedly open to reshaping the squad and freeing up funds to pursue other attacking targets, making Dessers’ exit a likely outcome.
Dessers, who has experience in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy, is seen by AEK as a valuable addition ahead of their upcoming European campaign. The Athens-based club finished strongly last season and are keen to bolster their attacking line with a physical and experienced forward.
As the summer window heats up, Rangers are expected to be active in both incoming and outgoing business, and Dessers’ departure could kick-start a wave of changes up front. With pre-season preparations already underway, both clubs will be eager to conclude the deal swiftly.
While not yet official, all signs point to Cyriel Dessers closing the chapter on his Rangers career and beginning a new one in Athens.