Rangers news bulletin as Gijs Smal transfer faces fresh Twente hurdle while Cyriel Dessers set for surprise call

Rangers news bulletin as Gijs Smal transfer faces fresh Twente hurdle while Cyriel Dessers set for surprise call.

The Premiership campaign may be in cold storage but Philippe Clement still faces a busy January.

A better contract offer has been made to Gijs Smal by FC Twente in light of his connections to Rangers.

The Dutch left-back’s contract expires in the summer, and the Eredivisie team seems to have accepted that the 26-year-old will either leave the team during this transfer window for a reduced price or as a free agent in the summer.

According to the Dutch media, Rıdvan Yılmaz, 26, is rumoured to be travelling to Italy to join with Verona as part of Philippe Clement’s Ibrox makeover. Rangers are reportedly interested in signing him.

Now Twente have moved to offer Smal a new contract at the club’s winter training camp in the Costa Blanca in Spain and the player will now discuss it with his agent.

And Twente technical director Arnold Bruggink has insisted he does not want to sell anyone this month. He said: “FC Twente want to play European football next season and that means doing everything we can to keep this squad together this month.”

In other news, Nigeria lost key player Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen due to injury, and Cyriel Dessers was placed on standby for the African Cup of Nations.

Despite having trouble winning over supporters this season, the 29-year-old has nevertheless managed to score nine goals.

He was snubbed by Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro for the African Cup of Nations despite being named in the original preliminary squad.

However, Leverkusen striker Boniface has withdrawn from the squad with a groin tear which will keep him out for six weeks.

Peseiro decided to call up Nice striker Terem Moffi as his replacement, but because his inclusion came after the official deadline, his club Nice are under no obligation to release their player and could refuse his release.

Rangers would also be able to deny the release of Dessers – but reports in Africa have stated the striker is next in line to go to the tournament if Nice don’t allow Moffi to go.

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