Rangers have responded to Galatasaray’s offer for Youssef Chermiti, which sits at a club-record price, and look to have made a U-turn on the future of the forward.
The former Everton man has been at the centre of speculation for the majority of the summer, despite spending just 12 months at Ibrox.
The combined arrival of Derek McInnes and Lawrence Shankland hasn’t helped that speculation, either. It’s hard to see a world in which the latter isn’t the starting striker under the former Hearts manager.
Alas, for all the rumours, it’s hard to deny that Chermiti stole the headlines for plenty of good reasons last season and is still a forward full of potential.
|
Scottish Premiership stats 25/26 |
Youssef Chermiti |
Lawrence Shankland |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
1,973 |
2,495 |
|
Goals |
15 |
16 |
|
Assists |
5 |
3 |
|
Shots P90 |
3.56 |
3.1 |
|
XG |
13.28 |
11.92 |
The numbers should give McInnes an idea of exactly what he must do this season.
Instead of bidding farewell to Chermiti, the new manager has to find a way to get both the 22-year-old and Shankland in his strongest side. Rangers have quietly got a strike partnership that can score more than 30 goals in their side – they must use it.
From Chermiti’s perspective, it may be a case of having patience. He is the future of Rangers’ frontline at just 22 and will eventually take the starting role from 30-year-old Shankland.
If the striker does his part, then those at Ibrox must do theirs and refuse any offers not long after it seemed like Chermiti was destined to leave the club.
Rangers make Chermiti U-turn after record offer
Although previous reports suggested that the forward was closing in on a move to Turkey with the door certainly open in Glasgow, Rangers have now rejected a record offer for Chermiti from Galatasaray.
That is according to Rangers Review’s Chris Jack, who reported that the Gers are looking to keep hold of their prized assets and build on what they have this month.
The 49ers deserve credit for how they’ve seemingly changed their mind over Chermiti’s future, refusing the temptation of Galatasaray’s £22m offer.
|
Player |
Fee (add ons included) |
Sold To |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Calvin Bassey |
£19.6m |
Ajax |
2022 |
|
Nathan Patterson |
£11.5m |
Everton |
2022 |
|
Hamza Igamane |
£10.4m |
Lille |
2025 |
|
Alan Hutton |
£9m |
Tottenham |
2008 |
|
Giovanni van Bronckhorst |
£8.5m |
Arsenal |
2001 |
It becomes even more admirable when considering that Rangers had the chance to secure a record sale. For the time being, however, it looks like Chermiti is set to stay put.
Whether that means a bigger role than one as Shankland’s deputy is now the big question. Dubbed “outstanding” by former manager Danny Rohl last season, Chermiti will be hoping to win McInnes over in similar fashion in the current campaign.
