Four draws from four in the Premiership, amid a dismal Champions League exit, has ensured that the jury is still out on Rangers boss Russell Martin, with the former Scotland international facing an uphill task to win over the Ibrox faithful.
That said, regardless of whether or not the under-fire coach is the right man for the job, the Gers are evidently in need of further reinforcements before the window slams shut, with the centre-forward berth a particular area of concern.
Indeed, the Light Blues have seen Hamza Igamane already catch fire at new club Lille, amid a stunning brace on debut in Ligue 1, while Martin admitted that Cyriel Dessers has likely played his last game for the Glasgow giants.
With Danilo also continuing to underwhelm, amid his return of 13 goals in 58 games in Scotland, the pressure is on new man Bojan Miovski to hit the ground running. To ease that burden, however, a new addition now looks to be imminent.
Latest on Rangers' deadline day dealings
There is much to be done and little time to do it in, with reports emerging on Sunday evening that Rangers are in the race for Crystal Palace starlet Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, having been linked with the 22-year-old throughout the summer window.
Elsewhere, meanwhile, Portuguese journalist Sebastião Sousa-Pinto has revealed that Everton striker Youssef Chermiti is heading to Scotland amid his impending Ibrox switch, with the final touches being made on that deal.
As per Sousa-Pinto, that switch – which previously had looked set to be an initial loan – will be a permanent deal for a fee in the region of €15m (£12.7m), eclipsing the £12m previously dished out on Tore Andre Flo.
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Such a hefty price tag would heap instant expectation on the former Sporting CP man to perform, with there perhaps concerns that the 21-year-old could head in a similar direction as that of Adam Idah at rivals Celtic.
Why Rangers could be targeting their own Adam Idah
In one of the more surprising moves of the window so far, Swansea City have pounced to take Idah back to the Championship on a £7m deal, thus ending his turbulent 18-month stint at Parkhead.
Signed on an initial loan deal in January 2024, the Republic of Ireland international was an instant hit in Scottish football, having scored nine goals in just 19 games during that temporary spell, including the winner in the Scottish Cup final.
While 20 goals followed in all competitions last term, following a £9m permanent switch, the 24-year-old divided opinion among those of a Hoops persuasion, having since failed to score in the early weeks of the new campaign.
Despite his early hot streak, the ex-Norwich City man has perhaps returned to his former levels, having arrived in Glasgow after registering just 17 goals in 116 senior games at Carrow Road, as per Transfermarkt.
There could well be fears of Chermiti enduring similar struggles at Ibrox, with Martin and co gambling on a player who has also yet to prove himself at first-team level, after failing to score at all in 24 games for the Toffees.
Games
4
Starts
0
Goals
0
Big chances missed
0
Assists
0
Big chances created
0
Key passes*
0
Total duels won*
50%
Aerial duels won*
67%
Successful dribbles*
0.3
While the young marksman did net three times in 22 first-team outings in Lisbon, there remains little evidence that he can thrive at the elite level, with analyst Kai Watson even suggesting that he could be “[Umar] Sadiq 2.0”.
A player believed to have been “inspired by [Alexander] Isak”, as per The Athletic, Chermiti is yet to showcase that he can get anywhere close to the levels of the Liverpool-bound £130m sensation.
Of course, much like Idah in his early Celtic days, the Portuguese giant could surprise a few if he makes an immediate impact under Martin, although he will have to go a long way to repay his hefty transfer fee.
As was the case with Idah, the pressure on a young, marquee striker can be overpowering – time will tell to see whether the same applies for Chermiti.
