Sport
Rangers links look silly now with 21-goal ace labelled a £25m striker
Suggestions that Rangers were eyeing a January move for Cercle Brugge striker Kevin Denkey feel all the more bizarre now with the 21-goal striker viewed by one pundit as a £25 million player.
Towards the end of the winter window, a few rather outlandish claims emerged on social media, suggesting that Philippe Clement’s side were looking to bring in one of the most in-form strikers in Europe alongside Mohamed Diomande and deadline day acquisition Oscar Cortes.
Kevin Denkey has plundered 21 goals in just 20 appearances for his Belgium-based employers this term.
But if the interest from Chelsea was not enough of a clue that Denkey was a forward well out of Rangers’ price-range, then the comments made by former Cercle Brugge frontman Tuur Dierckx should draw a thick line through the rumours linking the free-scoring Togo international with the Scottish Premiership challengers.
Rangers’ Kevin Denkey links dispelled
“I think Cercle’s system is tailor-made for him,” Dierckx tells Het Nieuwsblad of a man who is leading the race to be crowned Belgium’s Golden Boot winner this season. “He is so strong, of course.”
Denkey is currently four goals ahead of the Jupiler League’s second-most prolific player, Iago Thiago. The Brazilian will join Brentford for an eye-watering £30 million in the summer, and Dierckx feels that Denkey should command a similar fee if he is to follow Thiago out the door.
“If Thiago is worth 37 million euros, then Denkey is also worth 30,” he adds.
Chelsea keen on Jupiler League striker
HITC Football understands that Chelsea looked at Denkey during the January transfer window. Rangers, meanwhile, suddenly have an in-form number nine of their own, the previously-maligned Cyriel Dessers reaching double figures in his debut Scottish Premiership campaign with a brace in the 3-1 midweek win over Ross County.
Rangers also retain hope that Danilo – out of action since picking up a serious injury before Christmas – can still play a key role in what is shaping up to be a vicious battle for the league title this season.
