Ibrox Newsroom: The Dessers Dilemma- Russell Martin
Rangers face a pivotal moment this summer as they look to make the most of Cyriel Dessers’ transfer value. The Nigerian striker has attracted serious interest, most notably from AEK Athens, but the Ibrox board has made it clear: they won’t settle for less than £5–6 million—£4.5 m simply won’t cut it.
Price tags and hardball
AEK launched with an opening bid of roughly £4.5 million, which was firmly declined.
Rangers signaled their seriousness by ramping their valuation up to £5.1 million, with some reports suggesting the club wants £6 million to recoup the Cremonese fee and fund replacements .
This stance is backed by new sporting director Kevin Thelwell—he sees Dessers as an asset worth selling only “for the right price”.
AEK’s dance around the deal
AEK Athens has pursued Dessers aggressively:
They have reached personal terms with the striker—a reported £30,000-per-week, three-year contract is agreed in principle.
Despite their enthusiasm—the club is backed by Marios Iliopoulos and searching for a marquee frontman—their offers keep falling short.
Greek sources indicate AEK’s interest is “on standby”, hampered by Rangers’ insistence on sealing a replacement before sanctioning an exit.
Rangers’ summer blueprint
Selling Dessers is only part of the picture. The club are targeting Dor Turgeman from Maccabi Tel Aviv, though only once one of their strikers leaves.
With Champions League qualifiers looming later this month (e.g., against Panathinaikos), the club is under pressure to finalize deals fast.
* Meanwhile, pundits like Kris Boyd caution against prematurely selling Dessers—his goal return (50+ in two seasons, including 18 league goals last term) offers real value.
> “Cyriel’s numbers and contributions … he’s been scoring goals… I wouldn’t be in a hurry to lose Cyriel Dessers.
Fan sentiment & manager strategy
Dessers remains a divisive figure:
Stats vs sentiment: 51 goals in 109 appearances, plus the Premiership Golden Boot—but criticism for wasted chances persists.
Manager Russell Martin, backed by new ownership (the San Francisco 49ers investment arm), is rebuilding the squad. Holding out for a robust fee aligns with that fresh strategy.
Supporters at Ibrox remain split—some praise his work rate and goal tally, others say they want a different style of striker.
What lies ahead
FA key developments:
| Factor | Scenario AEK Deal Moves |
| AEK boosts bid | If AEK meets \~£5 m (or includes performance-related add-ons), Rangers may begin negotiations. |
| Rangers insist on replacement | A deal is unlikely until Russel Martin’s side secures a target like Turgeman. |
| Dessers stays | Should AEK walk away, Dessers remains—prompting Rams to reassess their squad plans. |
Rangers are playing hardball: AEK want Dessers, but need to meet the price and accept the club’s structure—only after confirming replacements.
With a big summer overhaul ahead, Dessers may yet be key to unlocking funds—but whether the move materialises depends on both valuation and strategic timing.