For the first time, Cyriel Dessers spoke about the uncertainty surrounding his future at Scottish Premiership powerhouses Rangers this week.
And while the number nine has few complaints really – Cyriel Dessers understands that Hamza Igamane warrants his place in Philippe Clement’s starting XI – the fact remains that another few months on the substitute’s bench does not really appeal to a 30-year-old striker approaching his final seasons at this level
Dessers has been linked with a return to Italy’s Serie A. La Liga outfit Leganes are reportedly interested too, Sebastien Haller departing after an underwhelming stay in Spain.
But after the £4.5 million signing from Cremonese quietened his critics to some extent in midweek – Dessers scored a superb solo goal as Rangers thrashed Aberdeen on a dominant Wednesday night at Ibrox – the well-travelled frontman admits some difficult conversations may need to be held over the coming days.
Cagliari prioritising Cyriel Dessers with Rangers striker in line for Serie A return
Now, if Dessers is to leave Rangers this month – and that is far from certain with CEO Patrick Stewart admitting that sales are not the priority – it appears that Cagliari may be his most likely destination.
St Etienne are prioritising younger options, Atlanta United are closing in on Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Empoli are keen to bring in Roma misfit Eldor Shomorudov.
As for Cagliari, while some have suggested the Sardinians may be limited to loan deals, Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Dessers is currently ‘the priority’ target at the Unipol Domus.
In order to bring Dessers back to Italy – he scored six Serie A goals during Cremonese’s relegation in 2022/23 – Cagliari will first have to get Gianluca Lapadula off the books. And that is a bit of a complicating factor.
Because Lapadula, the veteran former AC Milan attacker, would prefer to stay in Cagliari despite interest from second-tier Palermo.
The Cagliari Pad provide their own view of the situation. They write that, as Cagliari appear to have missed out on a deal for Fiorentina’s Torino-bound Christian Kouame, a deal for Dessers remains very much ‘alive’.
And while the Belgian-born Nigerian’s departure may not elicit too many tears on the Ibrox terraces – one of the most divisive players in Rangers’ recent history – Dessers is still Clement’s joint-top scorer this season despite starting only one game since the beginning of December.
Dessers and Kris Boyd both torn over potential Ibrox exit
“Last month, I lost my starting spot,” Dessers tells Voetbal International.
“The boy who is playing now [Igamane] is also a good striker. He also scores. I try to support him and help him because I want the team to win. But it is difficult.
“I don’t know what my situation is now. I can imagine that Rangers might want to earn something from me this month.
“But January is a difficult window. Clubs that are doing well probably also have a striker who is performing well. And few clubs that need goals will immediately have the millions ready.
“We’ll just have to wait and see. I’m at a great club, but I’m 30-years-old and want to play every week, preferably at Rangers.
“If there are different feelings about that internally, then we need to talk.”
Kris Boyd, when quizzed on the subject after Rangers cut the gap at the top of the table to 13 points, was a man torn. On one hand, selling Dessers could give Clement some much-needed funds to reinforce at the back and in midfield.
Then again, Rangers must also be wary of leaving themselves short in the final third.
“He’s obviously been linked with moves away in January but that will do his confidence the world of good because Igamane is starting games and scoring goals. Danilo has jumped ahead of Dessers,” Boyd explains.
“When you look at Cyriel Dessers, he’s went form being first-choice to now third. There’s no getting away from it. When you find yourself third-choice… He’s at an age where he will want to be playing football.
“We know Rangers will want to get the money in to maybe strengthen another position [but] you can’t leave yourself short on strikers though.
“I don’t know [if they should sell Dessers]. It’s a conundrum, that one. He doesn’t seem to be one with a bad attitude. Sometimes, if you have been a first-team regular and you find yourself out of the team, you spit your dummy out.
“But he’s come on, he’s got himself a goal. I don’t know, if there’s a decent offer…”
