Glasgow Rangers have officially made their first signing of the 2025 summer transfer window.
Right-back Max Aarons joins on a season-long loan deal, and the dynamic Englishman will certainly add some competition for James Tavernier.
The Ibrox faithful will be hoping that Russell Martin has several more announcements to make over the coming weeks, especially with the Champions League second round qualifying matches against Panathinaikos just weeks away.
Building a team capable of making it through to the next stage is Martin’s priority, especially with the financial rewards on offer if the Gers qualify for the lucrative group stages.
Buying new players could well depend on the club’s ability to sell a few of their prized assets this summer.
Indeed, Hamza Igamane potentially looks like he could be on the move. According to the Daily Mail, the striker has reportedly agreed personal terms with Ligue 1 side Lille, although no offer has been made.
The Light Blues only signed the player last summer, but it now looks as though Martin is aiming to rake in a solid profit, as Rangers could hold out for a fee in the region of £15m.
He isn’t the only centre-forward who looks set to leave. Cyriel Dessers might well be on his way this summer also. The Nigerian international has been a polarising figure during his two years in Glasgow, but will the club miss him?
Cyriel Dessers’ Rangers record
Just a few weeks ago, it looked as though Greek side AEK Athens were set to secure a move for Dessers. After days of negotiating over a transfer fee, however, this move looks like it could perhaps be in jeopardy.
Metric
2023/24
2024/25
Goals
16
18
Assists
4
2
Big chances created
8
2
Big chances missed
27
21
Goal conversion percentage
16%
22%
Now it appears that Feyenoord are looking to hijack a move for the Gers frontman after they failed to land a couple of their main targets.
Much will depend on whether the Dutch side can offer a fee that the Glasgow outfit are happy with, as this is why the deal with AEK Athens has broken down.
Dessers cost the club around £4.5m in the summer of 2023 and Martin is looking to recoup the majority, if not all, of that outlay.
Across his two seasons in Scotland, the 30-year-old has netted a more than respectable tally of 51 goals across 109 games. This works out as a goal every 2.1 games.
Despite this stellar record in front of goal, Dessers often takes two or three chances to eventually find the back of the net in matches.
Indeed, during the 2023/24 Premiership campaign, the former Feyenoord striker missed a staggering 27 big chances across his 35 matches.
Last season, this figure dropped to missing 21 big chances, but having someone who is far more clinical in the opposition penalty area, as well as being able to link up well with those behind him, is Martin’s priority.
Moving on Dessers could be a smart piece of business by the new manager, especially considering who he is lining up as his potential replacement…
Latest on Rangers' search for a new striker
With Igamane looking likely to depart Ibrox, alongside Dessers, it is evident that the club need another centre-forward or two ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.
Israeli player Dor Turgeman has been on the club’s wish list for a while, but it remains to be seen whether Martin makes his move for the striker.
According to TEAMtalk, the Light Blues are now exploring a move for Croatian striker Matija Frigan, who is keen to make the move to Scotland, as per the report.
Martin will have to spend around £6.5m to sign the Westerlo player this summer, but if he can move on Igamane and Dessers for roughly £20m, he will have money to spend.
The club will be hoping a deal can be sealed before the crucial games against Panathinaikos, especially if Martin is lacking in firepower before then.
Frigan has the potential to be an excellent signing for the Gers. There is no doubt about that.
Why Rangers must sign Matija Frigan
The 22-year-old is yet to hit his peak and a move to Rangers would give him the platform to get even better, especially by playing European football.
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Across 41 games for the Belgian side last term, Frigan scored 14 goals and grabbed four assists in all competitions.
In the Belgian Pro League, the 22-year-old recorded 2.2 shots per game, while also creating six big chances and finishing the season with a goal conversion percentage of 14% for Westerlo.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded the Croatian as a “complete forward” two years ago, even stating that he was similar in style to Ciro Immobile.
As such, signing a player with his talent is surely a key priority for the manager, especially considering he has plenty of room to grow.
Although Dessers may have scored more goals last season, the fact that Frigan is eight years younger, meaning he is a crucial long-term prospect.
Last term, Frigan missed just 12 big chances, compared to Dessers’ 21, while he averaged more touches (22 vs 18.8) and successful dribbles (0.7 vs 0.3) per game in their respective domestic leagues.
If Martin is able to sell the Nigerian player for the same price which Rangers bought him for, then it would be a wonderful piece of business by the new boss.
Frigan – who was also hailed as an “interesting youngster” by Jacek Kulig – has the potential to go from strength to strength by making a move to Glasgow.
Funds shouldn’t be an issue, as the report states the Light Blues may be willing to structure a deal so they will pay a lower fee initially, adding on potential add-ons to make the move more attractive.
With Aarons arriving in Glasgow, the supporters will be looking forward to more arrivals over the coming weeks.
Could Frigan be the next big summer signing? Only time will tell.
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