Rangers' young forward Youssef Chermiti has been ruled out for "a significant period of time" after sustaining a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury during the club's recent loss to Hibernian. The 22-year-old was forced to leave the pitch in the first half after a heavy collision with the perimeter boards at Ibrox, and was seen exiting the stadium wearing a protective boot and a knee brace. The injury comes on the same day that Rangers publicly dismissed a sizable transfer offer from Turkish side Galatasaray for the promising striker.
According to sources at Sky Sports News, the club is already evaluating potential replacements as the summer transfer window draws to a close. While a number of names have been mentioned, there is currently no active negotiation regarding Sheffield United forward Ryan One, despite earlier speculation. The management appears focused on finding a forward who can immediately fill the void left by Chermiti's absence, while also preserving the long‑term strategic plan for the squad.
Chermiti, who has represented Portugal at the under‑21 level, arrived at Ibrox from Everton in the summer of 2023 on a deal that could rise to £10 million based on performance-related add‑ons. In his debut season with Rangers he contributed 15 goals and five assists across all competitions, a return that quickly made him a fan favourite and a key component of Derek McInnes' attacking blueprint. His performances have led the club hierarchy to value him above the record fee they previously received for defender Calvin Bassey, who transferred to Ajax for an initial £19.6 million in 2023.
The injury was highlighted in the post‑match interview with McInnes, who expressed disappointment at losing a player of Chermiti's calibre so early in the campaign. "I was really concerned when he had to come off on a stretcher," the manager said. "He was looking sharp, making intelligent runs and showing a lot of purpose.
We definitely missed his energy, but now he's in a boot and his knee is strapped up. He's a player with a high ceiling and a big price tag, but he's ours and that won't change." Rangers have already completed nine signings this summer, and the club expects that number to increase before the transfer deadline on September 3.
The immediate priority appears to be reinforcing the left‑back position after Tuur Rommens suffered a groin injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. Brentford's academy prospect Jayden Meghoma has been identified as a possible solution, with talks already underway. In addition, former Hearts left‑back James Penrice remains on the shortlist, although his parent club AEK have been hesitant to sanction a loan move. The search for defensive reinforcements does not stop there.
Rangers are also in discussions with Aston Villa about the availability of right‑back Kosta Nedeljković, while Belgian winger Hugo Siquet has reportedly expressed interest in a move to Ibrox. Club Brugge, however, appear reluctant to release the 24‑year‑old, complicating any potential deal.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh has confirmed that the club intends to add between three and five more players before the window closes. The first confirmed addition in this final push is 24‑year‑old winger Couhaib Driouech, who is set to become Rangers' tenth summer signing. Driouech is in the final stages of his medical and paperwork ahead of a £6.5 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven.
Rangers outbid interest from clubs such as Burnley and Celta Vigo to secure his services. During his time at PSV, Driouech recorded 12 goals in 61 appearances, including three strikes in the Champions League last season, and supplied ten assists, demonstrating his ability to contribute both goals and creativity from wide areas. While the club works to bolster its attacking options, there is also movement on the outbound side. Midfielder Mohamed Diomande is expected to depart for Turkish side Çorum FK for a fee reported to be around £4.5 million.
This sale could free up further wage budget and allow Rangers to allocate resources toward the incoming targets. The broader context of these transfer activities is the upcoming Scottish League Cup tie against holders St Mirren.
McInnes will be looking to field a full‑strength squad, and the addition of new signings could provide fresh tactical options. The club's scouting network continues to monitor a variety of prospects across Europe, balancing immediate needs with longer‑term development goals. In summary, Youssef Chermiti's ACL injury represents a significant setback for Rangers, both on the pitch and in terms of their transfer strategy.
The club is actively pursuing multiple avenues to replace the lost attacking firepower, while also addressing defensive injuries and preparing for upcoming cup competitions. Fans can expect a flurry of activity in the coming weeks as the management works to finalize deals before the September 3 deadline, aiming to keep Rangers competitive on all fronts despite the challenges posed by injuries and player departures.