Back in April, a striker who had been linked with Rangers in a previous transfer window reportedly found himself on Celtic’s radar.
But worry not.
The formerly Ibrox-linked hitman will not be wearing green and white on the other side of the Old Firm divide any time soon. A tally of 23 goals last season – sparking the interest of clubs in far richer leagues – put pay to those Celtic rumours pretty quickly.
But still, with fans, pundits and Rangers icons alike queuing up to urge for the signing of a new number nine before the window closes, Fotis Ioannidis is starting to feel like another addition to a growing list of players the Glasgow giants could and maybe should have signed long before their talents came to be appreciated by the mainstream.
Last week, William Pacho joined Paris Saint-Germain for nearly £40 million. He had reportedly been scouted by Rangers during the 2022/23 season.
Albert Gudmundsson, the Icelandic forward who only had a few months left on his AZ Alkmaar contract when the Gers were linked, could soon be on his way to Inter Milan for over £30 million.
Former boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, meanwhile, revealed that Ian Maatsen was a target in the build-up to his Champions League final appearance for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid.
Maatsen has since become an Aston Villa player for £37.5 million.
The aforementioned Ioannidis, meanwhile, is now in line for a mega-money Premier League switch of his own.
Rangers looked at Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis
According to Greek reporter Georgios Sideridis, Rangers watched Ioannidis back in February 2023.
At the time, he was lumbering towards a seven-goal season at Panathinaikos. One year later, Ioannidis would increase his seasonal tally more than three-fold, with his transfer value rocketing at a similar rate.
The Daily Mail reported on Monday that Leicester City had submitted a £23.2 million bid. Ipswich Town have been quoted as offering a similar fee, while interest remains from Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon, per O Jogo.
Southampton, the third of the division’s newly-promoted sides, are also in the mix, though whether anyone meets Panathinaikos’ £26 million asking price remains to be seen.
It goes without saying, really, that it’s too late for Rangers. Ioannidis has long since moved out of their financial reach.
The same goes for Celtic, at least, meaning any disappointment the fans may feel at failing to land another highly-talented player before his price-tag rose considerably will not be exacerbated by the sight of him lashing in goal after goal across the city.
Can Cyriel Dessers fire Rangers to a title?
Amid Danilo’s ongoing injury issues and with Philippe Clement keen to avoid throwing Hamza Igamane in at the deep end, Rangers continue to rely on Cyriel Dessers for goals.
And while the Nigerian has two to his name already, a handful of misses certainly suggest that the Ibrox faithful are in for another season of taking the rough with the smooth.
“Rangers supporters are desperate for a new number nine to arrive this summer,” legendary Rangers hitman Kris Boyd told the Scottish Sun on the dawn of the new campaign.
“I would be stunned if Philippe Clement hasn’t made that position a priority. I believe Rangers do need to bring in another top-class striker this summer.
“He splits opinion among the Rangers fans, and he’s a difficult player to get a handle on. I like Dessers’ attitude. I like the fact he doesn’t hide and he will always work hard for the team.
“The striker scored 22 goals last season, and he deserved pass marks for that. But Dessers can also be really frustrating to watch. I don’t know of many other strikers who can score two goals in a game, but all anyone talks about afterwards is the chances they missed.
“Clement will know that he needs better options if he wants to take the team to the next level.”
WSG Tirol starlet Mahamadou Diarra has been linked with a £1.4 million switch this week.
