Rangers Reignite Interest In This Emerging Israeli Attacker: Exciting News For The Gers? | OneFootball

If the recent reports (as claimed by The Daily Record) from Israel are believed to be true, Rangers have opened talks with Maccabi Tel Aviv for Dor Turgeman ahead of a potential summer move. The Gers were one of several teams that eyed a mid-season transfer for the emerging centre-forward and have now reignited interest upon Russell Martin’s appointment as the Ibrox boss.

The 21-year-old Israeli international progressed through the academy ranks of his boyhood club, Ashdod, before joining the reserves of Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2018. He was handed his senior debut in a couple of years, but was loaned out to the second-tier outfit Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam for the 2021-22 season.

Turgeman developed his game with first-team minutes in Liga Leumit, which eventually helped him cement a starting status for Maccabi. He netted 11 goals and laid on two more in 49 games during the 2023-24 campaign and even improved his numbers last term with 20 goals and 6 assists in 44 appearances. The youngster is on the rise, having secured a regular role for Israel at the international level, and Rangers, plotting a summer rebuild under new owners, are willing to cash in on his promise and potential to resolve their conundrum high up the pitch.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – NOVEMBER 18: Andrei Ratiu of Romania on the ball whilst under pressure from Oscar Gloukh and Dor Turgeman of Israel during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Israel and Romania at Puskas Akademia Pancho Arena on November 18, 2023, in Felcsut near Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Why Rangers Should Snap Him Up

Despite scoring 29 goals last season across competitions, Cyriel Dessers has often been criticised for his lack of work rate and all-round ability. His sharpness and poaching traits saw him finding the net frequently, but at the same time, cost the Light Blues time and again due to his wastefulness and missed opportunities. Martin is a modern-day manager who prefers free-flowing football from back to front, and the Nigerian, being a traditional ‘number 9’, might struggle to attune to his style of play.

Meanwhile, Hamza Igamane could flourish further under the new chief and replace Dessers in the starting XI. He does not fit in as an outright ‘number 9’, but his footwork, swift skills and movement in and around the attacking third must be utilised unless the Morocco international parts ways before next season.

Regardless of Igamane’s future, the club have received a significant financial boost following the Andrew Cavanagh-led 49ers Enterprises takeover. They have a £20m transfer warchest to pursue a summer revamp, and the £4m asking fee for Turgeman should not be a stumbling block for the Glasgow giants.

Predominantly a centre-forward, the red-hot youngster has shown his flexibility by slotting in on the left a few times. The sky is the limit, and an Ibrox switch could help him maximise his potential once he adapts to the pace, grind and aggression of Scottish football.