Rangers’ young forward Youssef Chermiti has suffered a serious knee injury that will keep him out of action for a "significant period of time," the club confirmed after his mishap in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Hibernian at Ibrox. The 22‑year‑old striker was forced to leave the pitch in the first half after a heavy collision with the advertising boards that line the side of the pitch. He was seen exiting the stadium wearing a protective boot and a knee brace, a clear sign that the damage was more than a simple knock. The timing of the injury could not have been worse for Rangers.
Just hours before the match, the club disclosed that it had turned down a lucrative offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray for Chermiti. The bid, described by insiders as "big‑money," was rejected, underscoring the high regard in which the Ibrox hierarchy hold the forward.
Now, with his recovery likely to stretch into the autumn months, the Rangers board have reportedly started to look for a replacement striker before the summer transfer window closes on September 3. According to Sky Sports News, the club’s scouting network is evaluating several options, but there are currently no formal negotiations underway for Sheffield United’s Ryan One, despite earlier rumours suggesting otherwise. The emphasis appears to be on finding a player who can immediately fill the void left by Chermiti’s absence, rather than chasing a long‑term project.
Chermiti arrived at Rangers from Everton in the summer of 2023 on a deal that could rise to £10 million if all performance clauses are met. In his debut season he delivered 15 goals and added five assists across all competitions, quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising Portuguese prospects at under‑21 level. His contributions have led Rangers’ executives to value him even higher than the club‑record fee they received for defender Calvin Bassey, who moved to Ajax for an initial £19.6 million in 2023. Following the defeat, manager Derek McInnes, still winless in his first three games in charge, spoke candidly about the incident.
"I’m disappointed for the lad – he had to be taken off on a stretcher. He looked bright and was running into gaps," McInnes said.
"He played with purpose and we certainly missed his energy, but now he’s in a boot and his knee is in a brace. It’s no surprise a player with such a high tag and potential would be a target for other clubs, but thankfully he remains our player and that won’t change." Rangers have already completed nine signings this summer, and the club expects to add a few more before the deadline.
One immediate priority is a left‑back, a position that has been weakened by a groin injury to Dutch defender Tuur Rommens, who is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. Brentford’s youngster Jayden Meghoma has been mentioned as a possible target, though other candidates are also on the club’s radar as they prepare for the upcoming Scottish League Cup tie against holders St Mirren. Former Hearts left‑back James Penrice is another name being considered, but his parent club AEK Athens has been reluctant to sanction a loan move.
In addition, discussions are reportedly ongoing with Aston Villa regarding right‑back Kosta Nedeljković, while Belgian winger Hugo Siquet has expressed interest in joining Ibrox, albeit Club Brugge is hesitant to release the 24‑year‑old. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh has confirmed that Rangers intend to bring in between three and five additional players before the window shuts.
The first confirmed addition will be 24‑year‑old winger Couhaib Driouech, who is set to become the club’s tenth summer signing. Driouech is finalising his medical and paperwork ahead of a £6.5 million transfer from PSV Eindhoven. Rangers beat off competition from clubs such as Burnley and Celta Vigo to secure his services. During his time at PSV, Driouech made 61 appearances, netting 12 goals – three of which came in the Champions League – and providing ten assists, demonstrating the creative spark the Glasgow side hopes to add to their attack.
While the focus remains on bolstering the squad, there is also movement on the outbound side. Midfielder Mohamed Diomande is expected to depart for Turkish side Çorum FK, with a fee reported to be around £4.5 million. This sale could help offset some of the spending required to replace Chermiti and reinforce other areas of the team. In summary, Rangers are now confronting a dual challenge: rehabilitating a key attacking asset and simultaneously navigating the final days of the transfer window to reinforce a squad that has struggled to find consistency under a new manager.
The club’s ability to secure suitable replacements, both in attack and defense, will be crucial as they aim to restore form and compete for domestic honours this season.