Shankland Arrival Puts Chermiti’s Rangers Future in Jeopardy
Youssef Chermiti faces a potential slide down the Ibrox pecking order, which could ultimately force him out of Rangers following the high-profile arrival of Lawrence Shankland.
Rangers confirmed earlier this week that the 30-year-old former Hearts striker has joined the club on a two-year contract, which includes an option for a further extension. Manager Danny Rohl, determined to upgrade his frontline after a series of underwhelming attacking displays this season, is now expected to sanction at least one departure from his forward line.
According to former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, speaking to Football Insider, Chermiti is the prime candidate to be marginalized as speculation mounts over his long-term future in Glasgow.
A Tale of Two Strikers: The 2025-26 Numbers
While the 22-year-old Chermiti has delivered a few standout performances, his overall campaign has been plagued by inconsistency. In contrast, Shankland arrives as a proven, highly efficient goalscorer.
| 2025-26 Statistics | Youssef Chermiti | Lawrence Shankland |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 41 | 34 |
| Starts | 29 | 33 |
| Minutes Played | 2,754 | 2,944 |
| Goals | 15 | 20 |
| Assists | 5 | 6 |
| With Ryan Naderi and Bojan Misovski also on the books, the Ibrox squad is currently bloated with four central strikers. Consequently, the club will almost certainly need to trim the herd. |
The Expert Verdict: Why Chermiti Could Leave
Mick Brown believes that Rangers acted decisively to secure a long-term target, which immediately alters the dynamics of the dressing room.
“Rangers moved quickly to sign Shankland,” Brown told Football Insider. “He is someone they have admired for a while, so they were never going to miss out on the opportunity to bring him in.”
Brown noted that the signing creates an immediate dilemma regarding the existing underperforming forwards. With Shankland locked in as the definitive first-choice striker, everyone else falls down the ranks.
“Someone like Chermiti could now be forced out,” Brown added. “He has been very hit and miss since moving to Rangers, creating a lot of frustration. Because he is still young and has shown glimpses of real quality, there will be interest. It will come down to the transfer fee, but it is definitely a situation to watch this summer.”Potential Transfer Destinations and Valuation
Despite a turbulent debut year in Scotland, the young forward is not short of admirers across the continent. His domestic tally of 11 league goals is slightly misleading, given that eight of those strikes were clustered across just four matches against Celtic and Hearts.
Nevertheless, European suitors are circling. Football Insider previously reported that Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven are monitoring Chermiti closely and could launch a formal bid once the transfer window opens.
Rangers invested an initial £8 million to sign the attacker from Everton last summer. While the hierarchy initially had no urgent plans to sell, Shankland’s arrival has shifted the landscape. The club is now expected to demand a premium fee to let Chermiti leave, hoping to turn a profit on their investment while clearing vital squad space for Rohl’s new-look offense.