Why Rangers signing Siriki Dembele would bolster their attack
According to The Peterborough Telegraph (h/t The Scottish Sun), Rangers are keeping close tabs on Peterborough United attacker Siriki Dembele with a view to a potential transfer swoop in January or next summer.
The 24-year-old has also attracted interest from Premier League sides Fulham and Newcastle, while Stoke City in the Championship are also believed to be running the rule over him. Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry has confirmed interest from Rangers, as well as several other clubs, in the versatile star.
However, as per the report, the EFL League One outfit aren’t willing to do business in the January window and would only reassess the player’s future next summer when he enters the last 12 months of his contract. It has also been claimed that the Posh are looking for a fee in the region of £2million for Dembele.
Profile
Siriki Dembele started his footballing education in the youth academies of Dundee United and Ayr United in Scotland. He also honed his skills at the Nike Academy before earning a professional contract with Grimsby Town in EFL League Two.
After scoring 4 times in 39 appearances for the Mariners during the 2017-18 season, the Ivorian-born star joined Peterborough United in League One.
The 24-year-old made an instant impression with 5 goals and 7 assists in 38 league appearances for Peterborough in his debut season. He followed it up with 5 goals and 8 assists in 25 outings for the Posh last term and has hit the ground running once again at London Road this season.
Dembele’s stunning start to the 2020-21 season has seen him plunder 5 goals and 4 assists in 17 League One appearances for Peterborough so far.
His rich vein of form has put several clubs higher up the footballing pyramid on red alert. In all competitions so far, the versatile forward has scored 18 times in 96 appearances for the club, whilst also registering 21 assists in the process.
Dembele would add more variety to the Gers’ attack
Rangers are hardly crying out for reinforcements in the final third heading into the January window. Ryan Kent remains a key cog in the club’s attack down the left while summer signing Kemar Roofe has also established himself as a regular starter under Gerrard, usurping Ianis Hagi in the pecking order.
With Jermain Defoe and Cedric Itten competing for places with first-choice No.9 Alfredo Morelos, Rangers seem well-stocked in all areas across the forward line. Having said that, however, Steven Gerrard should make himself aware of market opportunities to add more quality to his ranks.
The likes of Greg Stewart, Brandon Barker and Jordan Jones have offered very little, both in terms of quality and creativity. The door, therefore, remains open for the Gers to bring in some quality alternatives in the wide attacking department. Putting things into context, Siriki Dembele could be a useful addition to the ranks at Ibrox.
The Ivorian attacker has made eyeballs turn with his consistently impressive displays for Peterborough United in League One. Capable of operating with equal efficiency on both flanks and up top as a centre-forward, Dembele has proven his ability to score and create goals for his team at a decent level.
Read more
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- Why Rangers should continue their pursuit of Patrik Hrosovsky
Verdict
Having established themselves as the hot favourites ahead of Celtic in the race for the domestic crown this season, Rangers should continue to add more quality to their squad to keep progressing in the right direction.
Siriki Dembele looks like a real talent and still has his best years ahead of him at 24. With his contract at Peterborough set to expire in 2022, the Gers can be hopeful of snapping him up for a decent price next summer.
