Why Cyriel Dessers failed to leave Rangers during the January transfer window

Super Eagles and Rangers striker, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, remained at Ibrox despite offers from ten clubs due to the difficulty of the transfer market, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 30-year-old forward fell down the Gers’ pecking order in November, immediately becoming a bit-part player while U-23 Moroccan forward, Hamza Igamane, flourished in his stead.

Dessers wanted to play, and with minutes not forthcoming at Ibrox, several clubs became alert of the situation surrounding the Nigerian, while the former Genk man also admitted could return to the Dutch Eredivisie.

However, he’s done well to turn his career at Ibrox around, starting the last three games for Philippe Clement’s side. His agent has revealed why a January move did not happen.

UK: Rangers v Union Saint-Gilloise, UEFA Europa League at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland on 30 January 2025: Pictured: Cyriel Dessers Rangers screams after missing a chance. [Photo Credit/ Imago]

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Dessers’ agent, Stijn Francis, revealed his client had exactly ten offers to leave the club during the winter transfer window, but the deals were complicated considering the nature of the market at the time.

“There is still a lot of probing but clubs are pushing much less. Look at Cyriel Dessers – he had ten offers but the market was much more difficult at that time. Many wanted to loan him but Rangers only wanted to sell, and that is not ideal for the player’s focus,” the former Westerlo midfielder said in quotes revealed by VoetbalNieuws.

UK: Rangers v Union Saint-Gilloise, UEFA Europa League at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland on 30 January 2025: Pictured: Cyriel Dessers Rangers and Hamza Igamane Rangers embrace. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
It is quite ironic that the Rangers’ player with the most offers during the just-concluded transfer window gets to stay, while Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo, and Adam Devine were all shipped out on loan.

In Rangers’ last three games, Dessers has played alongside Hamza Igamane, and it appears the pair are getting along in attack just fine, instead of competing for spaces.

Manchester, England, 23rd January 2025. Cyriel Dessers of Rangers L scores his side’s goal during the UEFA Europa League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
The former Cremonese striker also showed mental fortitude, revealing he was willing to fight for his place before the winter transfer window slammed shut.

“There’s a lot of unfinished business at Rangers for me. That’s also why I kept pushing in the last weeks, in the gym, in training, in the minutes that you get, that’s because of that,” the Nigerian forward said as previously quoted by Soccernet.ng.

Dessers has scored 18 goals and provided five assists in 37 games for Rangers this season across all competitions.

 

 

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

Share
Published by
Adefolahan Guerreiro

Recent Posts

Nigeria: Eric Chelle begins Super Eagles rebuild with key meetings in England – report

New Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has arrived in England as he looks to… Read More

2 hours ago

Mikel Obi snubs Ronaldo, Drogba, Lampard, Salah, reveals best Premier League player of all time

Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has named ex-France international Thierry Henry as the best… Read More

2 hours ago

“I fancied him” – Former England midfielder backs Emmanuel Dennis to succeed at Blackburn

Former England and Nottingham Forest midfielder, Carlton Lloyd Palmer, has backed Super Eagles striker,  Emmanuel… Read More

4 hours ago

Emmanuel Dennis: Can Nottingham Forest outcast emulate Yakubu Aiyegbeni at Blackburn?

Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Dennis, has vowed to give his all for EFL Championship side,… Read More

4 hours ago

Nigeria warned as South Africa prepare for Super Falcons WAFCON challenge with Lesotho faceoff

Nigeria’s Super Falcons face a formidable challenge in their quest to reclaim the Women’s Africa… Read More

7 hours ago

Revealed: Why Samuel Chukwueze’s proposed move to Fulham fell through

Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze was linked with a transfer to Fulham on transfer deadline… Read More

8 hours ago