Rangers sent firm Cyriel Dessers transfer message by Cremonese as they name hurdle that MUST be cleared

Cremonese have told Rangers they want more than the £6.5 million they paid to land Cyriel Dessers.

The Light Blues have failed with two substantial seven figure bids for Michael Beale’s top striking target. Turkish side Galatasaray are also interested in Dessers, as they look for a replacement for Mauro Icardi, who has returned to Paris St-Germain after his loan. Cremonese have just been relegated from Serie A but they are not short of cash and don’t have to sell.

Owner Giovanni Arvedi wants to keep Dessers, who is under contract for another four seasons, but understands the Nigerian international might not be as keen to play in the Italian second tier. Cremonse bought the 28-year-old from Genk last summer for £6.5m and they would want in excess of that before they would even consider selling. Rangers will now need to up the ante if Beale is to get his man.

Dessers has a proven goalscoring record at Genk, PSV Eindhoven, Utrecht, NAC Breda and Heracles Almelo. Rangers’ main priority this summer has been to bring in a new frontman after they released Alfredo Morelos at the end of his contract.

Beale has already said it is likely to take up a major chunk of his summer transfer budget. He has already signed Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling on free transfers from Norwich City and Chelsea, respectively.

The Light Blues are also looking to finalise a move for former England keeper Jack Butland, who is set to leave Crystal Palace on a free transfer. Rangers are also pushing to thrash out a fee with Los Angeles for Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifeuntes. The Ibrox side are also keen on deals to sign Jonathan Panzo from Nottingham Forest and Swansea City winger Morgan Whittaker.

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