AEK Cooling Interest in Rangers Striker Cyriel Dessers Poses Challenge for Ibrox Side

Rangers’ plans to offload striker Cyriel Dessers this summer have encountered an unexpected hurdle, with Greek Super League side AEK Athens reportedly pulling back from a deal that had been in advanced discussions.

Although no official fee was confirmed, reports had suggested a figure in the region of £4 million, a sum that would have represented solid business for a player who struggled to fully settle at Ibrox.

Dessers arrived at Rangers with considerable promise, seen as a forward who could add firepower to the attack. However, his time in Glasgow has been mixed at best.

Despite scoring some crucial goals, Dessers often failed to consistently impress the Rangers fanbase, with many supporters feeling his style didn’t quite mesh with the team’s tactics or that he wasn’t adequately serviced on the pitch.

As new manager Russell Martin embarks on a rebuilding project, the Belgian-Nigerian striker is considered surplus to requirements, particularly with the arrival of new attacking options that better fit Martin’s preferred tactical profiles.

The potential transfer to AEK had appeared to be the most viable exit route for Dessers, offering him a chance to restart in a less pressurized environment while allowing Rangers to recoup a reasonable fee to reinvest elsewhere in the squad.

However, comments from AEK’s head coach Marco Nikolić following their recent 6-0 friendly win over amateur side Vesthoek suggest the Greek club’s priorities may have shifted. Nikolić emphasized satisfaction with his current attacking options, including Zini, Pierrot, Martial, and Eliasson, indicating that the urgency to bolster the striker position has diminished.

“No, because in attack we are in a good place with Zini, Pierrot, Martial and even Eliasson,” Nikolić stated, adding that the club is focusing on other positions, particularly full-back.

This subtle but significant shift in AEK’s stance throws into doubt the previously reported advanced talks and leaves Rangers facing a dilemma.

With the transfer window still open, there is room for developments. AEK could rekindle their interest if circumstances change during pre-season, or other clubs may emerge should Dessers feature prominently and impress in upcoming friendlies.

But at present, Rangers must reassess their approach, as finding the right buyer for a player who has struggled in recent campaigns is far from straightforward in today’s market.

For Dessers, the consequence could be an extended stay at Ibrox, despite not being a clear fit for the squad’s evolving plans. Rangers will be monitoring the situation closely, hoping for a resolution that benefits all parties — but with no certainty in sight, patience and strategic thinking will be essential as the club navigates the remainder of the transfer window.