Rangers are holding firm on a £25 million asking price for striker Youssef Chermiti as multiple European clubs circle the 22-year-old this summer.
Former Sporting youth supremo Joao Couto has publicly urged Chermiti to make a move to Porto if a big money offer materialises for the forward.
Couto worked closely with Chermiti during his formative years at Sporting’s youth academy before the striker departed for Everton in 2023.
Speaking to Bola Branca, Couto said: “I would like him to return to Sporting, but Porto is a very good club for him.”
The youth coach reflected fondly on the early promise Chermiti displayed, adding: “I remember when he was a beginner and people envisioned him as a future striker for the country.”
Couto also credited Chermiti’s spell in England for shaping him into the player he has become, saying: “His departure helped him. He had a different style of football, he had to adapt, he faced difficulties. This enriched him in terms of football.”
Chermiti endured a difficult start to life at Ibrox after Rangers paid £8 million to sign him from Everton, but the Portuguese forward grew significantly as the season progressed.
He finished the campaign with 15 goals, including a hat-trick against Hearts in February and an impressive brace against city rivals Celtic.
That strong second-half form led Rangers to reject a reported £13 million bid from Fenerbahce during the January transfer window, a decision that now looks increasingly shrewd.
Galatasaray and PSV Eindhoven have also been linked with Chermiti alongside Porto, highlighting the level of European interest the striker has generated.
Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha reports that Rangers are waiting for “serious” offers to land on their desk before entering any meaningful negotiations.
With three years still remaining on his current deal at Ibrox, the Scottish club are firmly in the driving seat when it comes to setting the terms of any potential departure.
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