Turkish giants emerge as frontrunners for £25m rated Rangers star as Super Lig transfer race hots up
Rangers have tried to fend off Istanbul clubs with a steep price tag
Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti has become the subject of a transfer race between Turkish giants Besiktas and Galatasaray - but the Light Blues have reportedly stuck a £25m price tag on him to fend them off.
The 22-year old, who attracted similar interest from fellow Super Lig side Fenerbahce in January, has now been linked with other big two in Istanbul. Besiktas are winning the race after showing the ‘clearest interest’ in the player, while Galatasaray are wary about splashing the cash on the Portuguese youth international - who would only be a backup to talisman Victor Osimhen.
Eyebrows were raised when Chermiti signed from Everton for around £10m last season having only registered three professional career goals to his name prior to the move. However, the striker eventually found his feet as his debut season wore on, scoring 15 goals in 30 SPFL Premiership appearances and asserting himself as the number one choice striker in the process. The Light Blues have since signed newly-appointed club captain Lawrence Shankland to bolster their front line, but Chermiti is still expected to play a part under manager Derek McInnes.
Besiktas lead race for Chermiti
According to Turkish transfer insider Osman Altunterim, Besiktas are showing the ‘clearest interest’ in Chermiti. He also played down Galatasaray links, as this would go against their recent transfer strategy of signing players on loan. The current champions have signed Burnley’s Lesley Ugochukwu and Fatih Karagümrük’s Batuhan Ahmet Sen on short-term deals, plus they’re looking to sign AC Milan sensation Rafael Leao.
Besiktas missed out on ambitious transfer target Mo Salah from Liverpool, who instead finalised his deal to rivals Trabzonspor earlier in the week. On the way out, former Rangers loanee Vaclav Cerny has been linked with a return to Ibrox however his reported £45,000 weekly wages have put them off. Instead, the Light Blues signed Hannover 96 winger Daisuke Yokota for £2.7m - and are exploring a deal for PSV wide man Couhaib Driouech.
Turkish transfer insider assesses Chermiti exit chances
Altunterim claimed via X: “I know where this name came from, who suggested it to the club, what the conditions are, which teams from Turkey had shown interest before, and even that right now, Besiktas wants him more than Galatasaray does – I know the entire process from start to finish. Right now, the clearest interest in this kid in Turkey is from Besiktas.
“It’s beyond comprehension how a name that wasn’t on Galatasaray’s list just three days ago suddenly becomes a player they’ve been interested in for a long time! Additionally, Rangers wants a flat 30 million Euros for Chermiti! No loans or anything like that!
“If Besiktas agrees tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised at all. I’d say it’s a great move. If Galatasaray gets bold and spends 30 million on a guy to back up Osimhen, I’d say ‘then why the hell have you been chasing loan players all this time’, but I’d congratulate them. Just so you know.”