Transfer: Cyriel Dessers hands in Rangers transfer request amidst PAOK interest

Super Eagles and Rangers striker, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, has handed in a transfer request after spending a year in Glasgow, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 29-year-old joined the record Scottish champions from relegated Serie A side – Cremonese in a deal worth about £4.5m but had to endure a torrid start before the goals began to purr for the Belgium-born Nigerian striker.

Rangers narrowly missed out on the league title and the Scottish Cup, but Dessers had a decent season by all standards, scoring 22 goals and providing nine assists. He was largely unable to help in the final against Celtic as he hobbled off at half-time with an ankle injury.

Dessers on the move?

As per Greek outlet, Nova Sports, Super League Champions, PAOK Thessaloniki are interested in the services of the six-capped Nigerian striker, although he has three years left on his contract.

William Troost-Ekong’s PAOK narrowly lifted the Greek League title last season, finishing two points above AEK Athens on the final day of the campaign to lift their first trophy in almost five years, meaning they will be playing the Champions League qualifiers as the new format comes into the fray next season.

According to the report, Dessers is open to moving abroad and has handed in a transfer request to the club’s authority as talks with PAOK advance.

The former Genk striker is looking for stability in the next phase of his career. PAOK’s coach, the Romanian Razvan Lucescu wants to have next season’s team’s main striker at his disposal during pre-season, hinting that he wants the deal to be wrapped up before next season officially kicks off.

New striker for Rangers?

Philippe Clement’s team have already bid farewell to Fabio Silva, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, and Jon McLaughlin, meaning there’ll be a turnaround in the forward line at Rangers next season, regardless of Dessers’ transfer.

As per Rangers News, the Glasgow-based club have been linked to several striking options this summer including Moroccan forward Hamza Igamane and Albion Rahmani.

Dessers missed out on Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic due to an ankle injury.