Reports in Italy are suggesting that Rangers are closing in on a €4.2m plus €1m add-ons for Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers. The breakthrough comes through Italian publication Calcio Mercato as they claim the Nigerian has no interest in staying in Lombardy to play in Serie B. It is thought that Rangers are in the driving seat to land the 28-year-old and a deal could be struck, sooner, rather than later.
Marco Negri on Cyriel Dessers
When it comes to the last thirty years, there aren’t many Rangers strikers who had the immediate impact that Marco Negri did. He scored an absolutely ridiculous twenty-three goals in his first ten league appearances for Rangers. He ended that season with thirty-two league goals in total before injury issues prematurely ended his Rangers spell.
The ex-Rangers striker had this to say on Dessers;
He is certainly a fighter, a guy who can bring some energy to a team. He is physical, he can battle in one-v-one situations, he can hold the ball up, he can make clever runs for his team mates. He can definitely do a job up front.
He can play in a two man front line or he can play as a lone striker with two players supporting him. You can play high balls up to him because he is strong with his head, you can play it to his feet because he can hold the ball. I think he would be a good signing for Rangers
Marco Negri
Very positive words from someone who was an clinical as they come from Rangers. However, he did stress not to expect thirty goals a season from the Nigerian. He proclaimed that he is not an ‘Ally McCoist type’ but will work very hard on both ends of the pitch.
What Can he Add to The Team?
Despite not being a ‘natural goal scorer’ his career numbers are very impressive;
- 280 Appearances
- 111 Goals
- 135mins Per Goal
- 40 Assists
- 99mins Per Goal Contribution
Minutes wise, over his whole career, he averages better than one in two. For someone who isn’t considered a goal scorer, that’ll do for me! Rangers will be expecting him to get plenty goals if he arrives, particularly domestically. These numbers show he will definitely be capable of that.
It’s fair to say he had some struggles in Italy last season, as did the whole Cremonese side. However, the fact that Marco Negri still managed to single out so many positives of his game is an encouraging sign. He did have three appearances for Genk before moving to the Serie A and showed his capabilities there;
- 3 Appearances
- 3G/1A
- 77mins Per Goal
- 58mins Per Goal Contribution
If we’re being completely honest, the level of the SPFL is much closer to the Belgian Pro League than the Serie A. The fact he can provide these numbers in a league of similar quality leaves no doubts in my mind that he’ll adapt to the Scottish game.
Read more in-depth analysis on Dessers here.
My Opinion
The original quoted fee of €7m wouldn’t have represented good value for money. However, €4.2m plus a potential €1m in add-ons is definitely worth it for me. He’s a strong and powerful striker who has a good goal scoring record over his career. The fact that he averages one goal in two, per 90, is incredible over 280 career appearances.
Some sections of the support may have reservations over both the fee and his age. The main focus for that thought process is that this deal doesn’t represent a ‘player trading model’ type of transfer. The thing is, Rangers need to start winning trophies again NOW. Everything signing can’t be a project player if Rangers are to get back on top.
Cyriel Dessers to Rangers is a transfer that really excites me and I truly believe, should he come in, he can hit twenty SPFL goals, a feat not accomplished by a Rangers striker in years. What are your thoughts? Is this a deal that would excite you also or do you air in the side of caution for this one?