Marc Guehi talks about Liverpool transfer rumours (Credits: Imago Images)
Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti has moved to silence speculation linking him with a move away from Ibrox this summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old Portuguese forward has been connected with a big-money switch to French Ligue 1 club Lyon in recent weeks.
Rangers invested £8.5million in Chermiti last summer, and the striker took time to settle into life in Glasgow before finishing the campaign strongly.
His 15-goal contribution across the season is understood to have caught the eye of Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca, who urged the club to pursue a deal.
However, talks stalled after Lyon made clear they valued Chermiti at no more than £20million, a figure Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh rejected outright.
Cavenagh remains firmly of the belief that the striker could command a significantly higher fee on the open market, leaving no further contact between the clubs.
The former Sporting Lisbon and Everton forward says he has been paying no attention to the swirling speculation surrounding his future.
He said: “I’m very happy here. I like Glasgow, I like the club and everyone likes me as well. I think everyone is just trying to help me with my development.”
Chermiti was equally clear that outside noise holds no power over his focus, adding: “It is not a distraction for me, to be honest. I haven’t heard anything, I don’t hear any noise from outside the club. I leave that with my agent and my family. I’m just focused on this season and on Rangers. I feel very good in the city. Even my family is happy.”
With his domestic situation settled, Chermiti has set himself a loftier personal ambition beyond club football at Ibrox this season.
The striker currently holds Portugal Under-21 caps but is now targeting a call-up to Jorge Jesus’ senior national squad as his next major career milestone.
“Yes, 100 per cent there is more to come from me,” he declared. “I think that’s the target. I’m trying to get better every day.”
He left no doubt about where his ultimate ambitions lie, stating plainly: “I think my target is, as I said in a few interviews before, I want to get into the national team. That’s my dream.”
Rangers appear equally determined to hold onto their prized asset, with the club’s valuation far exceeding what Lyon are prepared to spend this window.
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