Derek McInnes Youssef Chermiti Update: Rangers Reject Galatasaray Bid, Injury Blow

The transfer window's final weeks often produce a familiar script: a bid arrives, a club says no, and the player's future becomes a daily headline. Rangers are living that script right now with Youssef Chermiti, but Saturday's match against Hibernian added an unwelcome twist.

Chermiti started the game at Ibrox but was taken off on a stretcher before half-time with a knee injury. Manager Derek McInnes confirmed the striker is in a brace and will undergo a scan. "Disappointed for the big fella that he has to come off on a stretcher," McInnes told BBC Scotland. "I thought he was looking bright and running gaps. He played with a bit of purpose and there's no doubt we missed that."

The injury lands at a delicate moment. Rangers have already rejected an offer for the 22-year-old, with McInnes confirming it did not meet the club's valuation. Reports from Turkish outlet Fanatik, cited by Turkish-Football.com, indicate Galatasaray's opening proposal was in the region of €20m to €25m. Rangers are reportedly holding out for a fee approaching €40m—a figure that would shatter the club's record departure, set when Calvin Bassey joined Fulham for €23m in 2022.

Youssef Chermiti injury update: McInnes confirms scan

McInnes provided the latest on Chermiti's condition after the match. "Disappointed for the big fella that he has to come off on a stretcher," he said. "I thought he was looking bright and running gaps. He played with a bit of purpose and there's no doubt we missed that." The striker is now in a brace and scheduled for a scan to determine the extent of the knee injury.

Galatasaray transfer bid rejected: Rangers hold firm

Asked about the bid, McInnes was measured but firm. "I'm led to believe the club's valuation of the player hasn't been met," he said. "So, from our point of view, like everything else, when you get clubs looking at your players, it's business as you were."

The manager's stance is clear: Chermiti is not for sale at a discount. "It's no surprise that he's a player who's got a big tag on him and he's got high potential, but thankfully he's our player and that will continue to be the case," McInnes added.

That resolve makes sense. Chermiti joined Rangers from Everton in September 2025, reportedly becoming the club's most expensive purchase since Tore Andre Flo in 2000. He has delivered since: 15 goals in 43 appearances, with 30 starts, and a Portugal under-21 cap. For a club trying to build a squad capable of challenging domestically and in Europe, selling a young, productive striker—especially one under contract—would require an offer that changes the club's financial trajectory.

Galatasaray's pursuit and the Icardi void

Galatasaray's interest is no surprise. Following Mauro Icardi's departure, manager Okan Buruk has made an elite young center-forward his top priority as the Istanbul club chases an unprecedented fifth consecutive Süper Lig title. Chermiti's physical profile, press resistance, and finishing fit that brief.

But the Turkish champions have work to do. Their opening bid was swiftly rejected, and negotiations remain active, with Galatasaray evaluating whether to submit a revised proposal. The gap between the two valuations—roughly €15m to €20m—is significant, but not insurmountable in a market where clubs often bridge such gaps with add-ons and structured payments.

For Rangers, the calculus is straightforward. Selling Chermiti for anything less than a record fee would weaken the squad and send a poor signal to supporters. The club's ambition, as McInnes put it, is to "build a team" and "bring additions" to complement the good players already at Ibrox. Chermiti is central to that plan.

The injury complicates everything

The knee injury, however, changes the picture. If the scan reveals a serious issue, Galatasaray's interest could cool, and Rangers' negotiating position weakens. If it's minor, the saga resumes with renewed intensity.

Chermiti has reportedly reaffirmed his commitment to Rangers, focusing on his development at Ibrox. That's the right public stance, but in football, commitments can shift with the right offer. For now, the ball is in Galatasaray's court—and in the radiologist's report.

This saga echoes other summer transfer battles where clubs hold firm on valuation. The Derby County takeover collapse showed how financial realities can reshape club ambitions, while Rangers' own record sale of Calvin Bassey remains the benchmark for what a top departure looks like. Chermiti's case could reset that benchmark—or reinforce it.

What happens next

The immediate priority is Chermiti's health. McInnes said the striker will be scanned, and the club will not want to rush him back. The transfer window, meanwhile, remains open, and Galatasaray's next move will be telling. A revised bid closer to Rangers' valuation would test the club's resolve. A withdrawal would leave Chermiti at Ibrox, at least until January.

For Rangers fans, the hope is that the injury is minor and the speculation fades. For Galatasaray, the search for a striker continues. For Chermiti, the focus is on recovery and proving why Rangers value him so highly.

As McInnes said, "We're trying to build a team here at the minute and we're trying to still bring additions to the team that helps us add to the good players that we've got, including Youssef." That's the plan. Whether Galatasaray can disrupt it remains to be seen.