Cyriel Dessers Rangers exit deal ‘hits hitch' as Ibrox club desperate for cash to fund Russell Martin's squad rebuild
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RANGERS are fighting to ensure AEK Athens meet their asking price for striker Cyriel Dessers.
The 30-year-old is the subject of a potential transfer from Glasgow to the Greek giants.
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Cyriel Dessers is on the verge of a move to AEK Athens - but talks have stalled
Credit: Getty
It's understood the Ibrox club's new American owners have been demanding £5million for his services.
And while AEK are keen to land the striker, a report in Greece has claimed the Athens outfit are trying to lower the fee they would have to pay.
That's led to a snag in talks, with Gers not willing to budge, reports Sportime.
AEK Athens don't want to pay more than £3.8m (€4.5m).
That would translate to a net loss for Rangers, who spent £4.5m to land the Nigerian international from Serie A side Cremonese.
Naturally, Rangers want to try and make a profit on a player who, while far from perfect, was the team's top scorer last season.
The hitch could slow Rangers down in their own pursuit of top targets, with the Light Blues linked to Israeli striker Dor Turgeman and veteran Premier League cult hero Jamie Vardy in recent weeks.
Russell Martin is desperate for fresh faces for his summer rebuild and with the club's first Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos just a month away, the new recruitment team led by Kevin Thelwell and Dan Purdy will have to act fast.
Dessers' age is a stumbling block and will be a factor when all parties are discussing potential add-ons or sell-on clauses as part of the deal.
He has turned into something of a divisive figure at Ibrox despite netting 51 goals in 109 appearances for the club.
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Meanwhile, Gers are hopeful of securing the signatures of winger Kwame Poku from Peterborough and full-back Max Aarons from Bournemouth.
Poku, 23, would be joining on a Bosman deal for a cross-border development fee in the region of £250,000 while Aarons is understood to be under consideration as a loan option.
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