Rangers are "working on a deal" to sign Youssef Chermiti from Everton on a permanent basis, according to Raman Bhardwaj of STV.
It has been a summer of overhaul for Rangers, who saw out last season under the interim guidance of former midfielder Barry Ferguson. The 49ers Enterprises, majority owners of Leeds United, took over the club and have made a number of summer additions, whilst appointing Russell Martin as their new manager.
Despite high hopes, it has been a turgid start to the season for the Glaswegians. Rangers drew their opening three games of the Scottish Premiership season and were dumped out of Champions League qualification in embarrassing fashion, losing 9-1 on aggregate over two legs against Club Brugge.
Rangers is not a club at which managers can take time to implement their philosophies at the expense of good form, with Martin already under an enormous amount of pressure and his job, seemingly, far from secure, at least in the eyes of the fans.
Now, it would appear that the club are close to signing yet another attack-minded player as they look to quickly reverse their early-season misfortune.
Rangers Want Chermiti
Youssef Chermiti
Youssef Chermiti
Raman Bhardwaj has reported that Rangers are nearing an agreement with Everton for Youssef Chermiti and that, to his understanding, “it would be a permanent transfer.” Now 21 years old, Chermiti signed for Everton from Sporting in 2023. It was clear that the forward had potential, but Chermiti has struggled for form with the Toffees.
Chermiti played less than 50 minutes in last season’s Premier League and now, with Everton having signed Thierno Barry from Villarreal, first-team minutes appear even more unlikely. Though Rangers have recruited a number of attackers, only Bojan Miovski is a natural striker amongst those new additions.
Not only that, but Cyriel Dessers and Danilo have both lacked consistency during their stints at Ibrox. Hamza Igamane’s departure only furthered Rangers’ need for more depth up front, something that Chermiti would certainly provide. The Portuguese, as he has shown in his career, would offer Rangers a physical outlet to lead the line, standing at 6'4" tall.
A deal now appears likely and with Rangers, perhaps Chermiti can tap into the potential that saw Everton initially sign him. Should this prove to be the case, it could be regarded as a shrewd addition as Rangers look to finally shift arch-rivals Celtic from atop the Scottish Premiership.
Sign up toThe GIVEMESPORT Reportto get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox.