Everton striker Youssef Chermiti with a breaking banner.
Everton striker Youssef Chermiti with a breaking banner.
Rangers are closing in on the signing of Youssef Chermiti from Everton, and the striker has now arrived at the club’s training ground.
Chermiti is set to join for an initial £8 million, which could rise to £10m, in Rangers’ biggest transfer outlay since Tore Andre Flo 25 years ago.
Rangers were in desperate need for another striker, with Hamza Igamane joining Lille and Cyriel Dessers on his way to Panathinaikos.
Chermiti will follow the recent signing of Bojan Miovski from Girona, and a deal is now edging closer and closer.
Former Rangers striker Hamza Igamane in Rangers tracksuit.
Credit: Imago
Youssef Chermiti arrives at Rangers training ground
The striker’s move is on the verge of completion, with Rangers already agreeing a deal with Everton for the 21-year-old.
As reported by Sky Sports News, Chermiti has arrived at Rangers’ Auchenhowie training ground in order to finalise his move and undergo a medical.
Chermiti failed to score in 24 appearances for Everton after struggling with injuries.
The striker was highly rated at Sporting Club De Portugal before joining Everton, but he managed just one Premier League start in two years.
The initial fee has been confirmed at £8m, just over half of what Kevin Thelwell paid to bring him to Everton two years ago.
A move could be formally announced within hours, while there is still yet to be confirmation over Dessers’ exit.
Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers
Credit: Imago
Rangers taking huge gamble on Youssef Chermiti
Chermiti will be Rangers’ biggest transfer in over two decades in terms of the fee, but he is far from proven at senior level, and there are several risks with the deal.
The attacker’s goal and injury records are of some worry, and it may take him some time to adapt to life in Scotland when Rangers need players who can make an immediate impact.
Thelwell has played a huge part in the transfer, and clearly believes that he can be worth the investment as a long-term option.
Many Rangers fans will be rightfully sceptical over the deal, but Chermiti will have two weeks to bed in before their next match against Hearts.
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