Lyon are reportedly preparing a €14 million (£11.9 million) plus €4 million (£3.4 million) in bonuses offer for Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti, despite the Glasgow club's insistence that he is not for sale.
Lyon's Pursuit of Chermiti
According to Foot Mercato, Lyon are "considering" a formal bid for the 22-year-old Portuguese striker. The Ligue 1 side is in need of attacking reinforcements after Endrick returned to Real Madrid following a loan spell in the second half of last season. Lyon's head of recruitment, Benjamin Charrier, has reportedly made contact with Rangers to discuss a potential deal, aiming to make "concrete progress" on a move.
Rangers' Stance
However, Rangers are said to be unwilling to sell Chermiti, who joined them from Everton for an eyebrow-raising £8 million last summer. Charrier has been warned that a "revised" offer would be necessary for the club to even consider letting the striker depart. The Light Blues previously rejected a £13 million bid from Fenerbahce in January, demonstrating their resolve to keep the player.
Chermiti's Debut Season
Chermiti had an up-and-down debut season at Ibrox. He initially struggled to deliver on the high price tag but improved as the campaign progressed. Notable performances included a hat-trick against Hearts in February and an impressive brace against Celtic. He finished the season with 15 goals, vindicating Rangers' decision to reject the Fenerbahce bid earlier in the year.
Other Interested Clubs
Beyond Lyon, Chermiti has also been linked with Galatasaray, PSV Eindhoven, and Porto. The striker's form in the second half of the season has attracted significant interest across Europe, but Rangers remain determined to keep him as a key part of their squad.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Lyon can convince Rangers to sell, but for now, the Glasgow club appears steadfast in their refusal to part with the Portuguese forward.
