AEK ATHENS are pushing hard to tie up a deal for Cyriel Dessers within the next 48 hours.
And former Rangers star Steven Naismith reckons Lawrence Shankland would be a “safe bet” to replace the striker’s goals at Ibrox.
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Dessers, 30, has agreed terms on a three-year contract, but AEK have yet to settle on a fee with Gers.
The Greek side are offering around £4million, but the new Ibrox owners want closer to £5m for the Nigeria star.
AEK head to the Netherlands for a pre-season camp tomorrow and new boss Marko Nicolic wants Dessers to join them there this week.
Club chiefs will look to thrash out a deal with their Gers counterparts in the next few days — with new boss Russell Martin already looking for replacements.
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And Naismith believes Rangers should make a last-minute play for hitman Shankland.
The Scotland striker is a free agent after stalling on signing a new deal at Hearts — with West Brom and also Saudi clubs interested.
Naisy bossed Shanks, 29, at the Jambos when he netted 31 times in the 2023/24 season and is shocked Rangers haven’t moved for him so far.
He said: “In one respect I’m surprised. He’s as safe a bet as you’re going to get for scoring goals in Scotland.
“What goes against him is probably his mobility but he’s just a really intelligent player now.
“He’s a good link between midfield and attack as well as a goal scorer. The other dynamics, which would come into any thought of signing him, is his age.
“He’s somebody who’s probably seen as being in and around his prime. Is he going to be your main striker? Is he not?
“I saw it with Kris Boyd at Rangers who was probably similar in terms of goal return.
“Walter Smith never played him in Europe and never played him in Old Firms.
“But Walter was a manager with loads of experience and know-how to handle him.
“I’m not saying Shanks is like-for-like but they’re the kind of challenges you have to think about.
“In one respect it would be a free transfer but that means it’s still expensive to sign players who are scoring 30 goals a season on a free.
“But I’m sure Shanks will definitely have some offers because for two seasons he’s just been unbelievable.”
New boss Martin will implement his possession-based style at Gers.
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Asked if Shankland could fit in with that, Naismith said: “I think he could. From the moment I played with Shanks at Scotland to when I was coaching him, it was about his intelligence.
“That’s in terms of where he picks positions up and he’s got a real finesse about his touch.
“Then he’s got calmness in the final third.”
SunSport revealed Martin is on the brink of agreeing a loan deal for Bournemouth right-back Max Aarons.
Naismith remembers Aarons as a kid when he was playing for Norwich and reckons he can challenge skipper James Tavernier.
He said: “He’s got good experience and he’s played at a really good level against top players.
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“He’s a modern-day full back. He’s not the tallest but is very comfortable on the ball, quick and dynamic going forwards and defensively.
“The biggest thing I remember about Max is his attitude was spot on.”
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