Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers in talks over move to PAOK Salonika as Ibrox squad rebuild gathers pace

Nigerian striker has reportedly handed in a transfer request in bid to force move Scorer of 23 goals last season, Dessers has divided opinion among Rangers fansAberdeen kick out Rangers' opening compensation offer for midfielder Barron 

GREEK champions PAOK Salonika are in discussions with Rangers over a deal to sign striker Cyriel Dessers — and reports claim the Nigerian international has handed in a transfer request in a bid to force the move through.

Dessers, 29, claimed 23 goals and nine assists after moving to Glasgow from Italian side Cremonese in a £4.3million deal last July.

Greek media outlet Nova Sports claim PAOK are in ‘advanced talks’ with the Ibrox club, who are currently preparing for Champions League qualifiers. Dessers is under contract for another three years and Rangers will seek a substantial fee for a player who divides opinion among supporters.

While PAOK are also looking at Danish international striker Martin Braithwaite, it’s reported that discussions with Dessers are at an advanced level and that the player is satisfied with the financial terms on offer.

Manager Philippe Clement is keen to bring in at least one more striker as part of another squad overhaul this summer.

Brazilian forward Danilo is on the way back from long-term injury — with a deal for Moroccan player Hamza Igamane edging closer.

Nigerian international Dessers was Rangers' top scorer with 23 goals last season

Dessers' failure to make a mark in Old Firm matches made him a frequent target for criticism

Dessers is keen to cut his losses on his time in Scotland as he eyes move to the Greek sunshine

Speculation over a potential move for Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland remains, while Rapid Bucharest’s Kosovan front man Albion Rrahmani has also been discussed.

Clement has already made a raft of signings, with Mohamed Diomande, Jefte, Clinton Nsiala and Connor Barron putting pen to paper.

Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly is close to joining Rangers after returning from Euro 2024 with Scotland, while there is also claimed to be Ibrox interest in his international team-mate Kenny McLean of Norwich City.

Boss Clement has trimmed some fat from the wage bill, with Borna Barisic and John Lundstram leaving for Trabzonspor in Turkey and Kemar Roofe, Ryan Jack and Jon McLaughlin all departing. Dutch striker Sam Lammers is also likely to leave following a successful loan spell in his homeland with Utrecht.

Rangers boss Clement could have a reshaped forward line next season with the loss of Dessers

Meanwhile, Aberdeen have kicked out Rangers’ opening compensation offer of £525,000 for Barron.

The midfielder last week signed a four-year deal at Ibrox after letting his contract run down at Pittodrie.

Having come through the ranks in the Granite City and turned down the offer of an extension, the Dons are due financial recompense for the part they played in developing the Scotland Under-21 player.

With no fixed formula for calculating the fee to be paid when a player of that age moves between two Scottish clubs, the issue will go to an SPFL tribunal unless both parties resolve it.

Rangers have seen their initial compensation offer for Connor Barron kicked out by Aberdeen

Addressing the matter publicly for the first time, Aberdeen chief executive Alan Burrows yesterday insisted his club would do whatever was required to get the fee they believe they are due if Rangers don’t match it.

‘If there isn’t agreement between the two clubs then we are fully prepared to go to a tribunal,’ he said. ‘It is our job to get the best value for any player and we will try and do that with Connor.

‘Ideally, in all walks of life, we would like to avoid situations where you have to go to tribunals but if we have to we will.

‘We are still trying to negotiate it with Rangers but the difficulty is that both parties might have a different view of the valuation.’