Cyriel Dessers was 'close' to Rangers transfer exit

The 29-year-old divides opinion among fans but scored 22 goals in all competitions during his debut season in Scotland last term.

The Nigeria international has already notched three this season and has been the clear No.9 for Philippe Clement since the Belgian's arrival last October.

Earlier this summer it was speculated that Dessers could swap the Scottish Premiership for PAOK in Greece, however, this amounted to nothing in the end.

Now, though, it's become apparent that Dessers rejected a transfer to the MLS this summer.

Italian journalist Luca Bendoni - who works for Gianluca Di Marzio - claims a move to Atlanta United was on the cards.

It's said the American side and the Ibrox club held discussions over a potential $6m (£4.6m) deal for Dessers, with a deal at the end of negotiations 'close'.

That was until the player stepped in and any switch fell flat.

Dessers was signed by Michael Beale last summer for £4.5m.

Read more: 

• Rangers cult hero outlines key factor to being a success at Ibrox to summer signings

• Ibrox cult hero Marvin Andrews on why Rangers need to 'keep believing'

Meanwhile, Marvin Andrews has told Rangers’ summer signings they will need to develop a winning mentality in order to be successful at Ibrox – but tipped assistant manager Alex Rae to ensure they do.

Trinidad and Tobago centre half Andrews was immediately struck by the high standards which would be expected of him after he made the move from Livingston, who he had helped to lift the League Cup, to the Glasgow giants back in 2004.

In fact, it only took a single training session at Auchenhowie, during which manager Alex McLeish berated him for playing a misplaced pass, for him to realise that he needed to raise his game considerably to feature in the first team.