McFadden Reacts in Shock After Rangers Refuse £13m Deal

“INEXPLICABLE!” — James McFadden Stunned as Rangers Snub £13m Fenerbahçe Megadeal for Youssef Chermiti

Glasgow — As the January transfer deadline edges closer, Rangers have taken a stance that has reverberated across the Scottish game. A reported £13 million offer from Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahçe for striker Youssef Chermiti has been firmly rejected, a decision that has drawn sharp reaction from former Scotland forward James McFadden.

Speaking on Sky Sports, McFadden expressed clear disbelief at Rangers’ refusal to cash in, suggesting the club are taking a significant risk by turning down such a sizeable mid-season offer for a player still establishing himself at the highest level. For a side operating within the financial constraints of the Scottish Premiership, the move has raised eyebrows.

The interest from Istanbul has been driven by Sean Dyche, a familiar figure to British audiences following spells at Burnley and Everton. Now in charge at Fenerbahçe, Dyche has identified the 21-year-old Portuguese striker as a key component in his push for the Süper Lig title. Chermiti’s physicality, work rate and presence fit the profile Dyche traditionally values, prompting what was intended to be a decisive bid to test Rangers’ resolve.

James McFadden, however, believes the Ibrox hierarchy may have misjudged the moment.

“I honestly can’t believe it,” McFadden told reporters. “You are talking about £13 million for a player who, let’s be honest, hasn’t been a consistent world-beater yet. In the Scottish Premiership, when a bid like that comes in from a club like Fenerbahçe, you usually drive the player to the airport yourself. To turn down that kind of profit mid-season is inexplicable unless you have a guaranteed superstar already in the building.”

Behind the scenes, Rangers’ refusal appears closely linked to their ongoing pursuit of Leeds United striker Joël Piroe. Philippe Clement is reportedly unwilling to sanction a major attacking departure without a replacement secured, wary of being left short during a crucial phase of the title race.

With competition for Piroe intensifying and the deadline looming, Rangers are gambling that Chermiti’s value on the pitch outweighs the immediate financial reward. Whether that decision proves inspired or costly may only become clear in the weeks ahead, but as McFadden’s verdict suggests, it is a call that will be judged relentlessly.