PSV Eindhoven have rejected an improved £6m offer from Rangers for winger Couhaib Driouech, with Burnley and Celta Vigo now entering the race for the 24-year-old at an early stage of talks, according to Sky Sports. Reporter Mounir Boualin has since suggested Driouech holds a slight preference for a move to Celta Vigo now that the Spanish side have joined the pursuit alongside Rangers.
The picture around Driouech's future has become more complex according to external reporting not reflected in the original Sky Sports account. According to FootballTransfers' Dutch edition, Rangers have actually already tabled a higher offer of roughly €7.5 million, which PSV have yet to accept. Separately, Doelpunten.nl reports that an initial Rangers bid was turned down before talks intensified further, suggesting the negotiation has moved through several stages rather than a single rejected offer.
PSV are believed to value Driouech at close to €8 million once bonuses are included, and his contract with the Eredivisie club is reported to run until mid-2029, according to Eindhoven Nieuws. That length of contract gives PSV little pressure to sell quickly, strengthening their negotiating position.
This interest builds on Rangers and Celtic's wider push for wingers already reported this week, with earlier coverage of the Old Firm's interest in wingers Haissem Hassan and Couhaib Driouech noting both clubs had already made offers before this latest development.
How has the transfer chase developed behind the scenes?
Formal talks between Rangers and PSV are reported to be underway, with Driouech said to be open to a move to Ibrox despite personal terms not yet being finalised, per FootballTransfers' English edition. The same report notes Driouech scored seven goals in 38 appearances across all competitions for PSV last season, underlining why the club are reluctant to let him leave cheaply.
Notably, Rangers' pursuit of Driouech is understood to have gathered pace after their attempt to re-sign forward Mikey Moore on loan from Tottenham Hotspur collapsed, according to the same FootballTransfers report. Earlier accounts, including one from the Daily Record, had indicated Rangers had only made contact over Driouech, with an official bid still expected at that stage, before subsequent reports described a formal offer being lodged.
What is Driouech's background and value to PSV?
PSV are said to have signed Driouech from Excelsior for around €3.5 million, meaning any sale in the region of the club's current valuation would represent a significant profit, according to FootballTransfers' Dutch edition. Dutch reporting suggests PSV regard him as a player who can command a fee well above that original outlay, giving the Eredivisie club leverage as they weigh offers from Rangers, Burnley and Celta Vigo.
What other transfer stories are linked to this one?
Monaco have made Algeria international Fares Ghedjemis, 23, their top priority for the right-wing position and are preparing an improved offer after Frosinone rejected a bid of £6m plus £1.7m in add-ons, according to L'Equipe. Frosinone have also turned down £8.6m bids for the player from both Celtic and Rangers. This continues a saga detailed in earlier coverage of Celtic's push for a Ghedjemis deal and in the report on Celtic and Rangers both chasing the winger.
Elsewhere, Egypt winger Haissem Hassan, 24, has been omitted from Real Oviedo's squad for their pre-season friendly against Le Havre on Saturday while a £9m bid from Celtic is processed, according to reporter Anthony Joseph. Hassan is reportedly dealing with visa issues, but an agreement is in place for a move to Celtic on a contract until 2030, according to George Tsarouchas, who adds that Real Oviedo stand to receive £6m plus a further £1.3m should Celtic reach the Champions League proper. Real Oviedo head coach Julian Calero has said the club will not obstruct Hassan's proposed transfer, according to Record.
What other Celtic and Rangers news has emerged?
Celtic are reportedly ready to intensify their interest in Heart of Midlothian forward Claudio Braga, 26, amid competition from several overseas clubs, according to reporter Pete O'Rourke. West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo declined to comment on reported interest in Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, with the relegated club said to have not yet met Celtic's valuation of more than £25m, according to the Glasgow Times.
Bolton Wanderers manager Steven Schumacher has said he would welcome a return for Celtic striker Johnny Kenny, 23, following last season's loan spell, though he is uncertain whether the move is financially feasible, according to the Herald. Meanwhile, Football Insider reports Celtic have made no contact with Newcastle United or goalkeeper Nick Pope, 34, over a potential move, noting any transfer would exceed what the Scottish champions would pay for a back-up goalkeeper.
Separately, reporter Farzam Abolhosseini, citing Tipsbladet, has dismissed reports in the Scottish media linking Celtic with 23-year-old Brondby midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic as unfounded. Torino president Urbano Cairo has insisted the Serie A club have no plans to sell Scotland striker Che Adams this summer, despite links to promoted Venezia and Championship clubs, according to Record.
What else is happening in Scottish football ownership?
Dunfermline Athletic owners James Bord and Evan Sofer have been named as partners in Sparta Capital's acquisition of Bordeaux following the French club's relegation to the sixth tier of French football, according to the Courier.
What happens next?
Rangers and PSV remain in negotiations, with the next significant step likely to be whether PSV accept or counter the reported €7.5 million offer, according to FootballTransfers' Dutch edition. A final agreement is understood to hinge on Driouech and Rangers reaching personal terms, which have not yet been settled, per FootballTransfers' English edition. Further progress may also depend on whether Rangers are prepared to meet PSV's valuation of around €8 million including bonuses, as reported by Eindhoven Nieuws.
Key Facts
- PSV rejected an improved £6m Rangers bid for Couhaib Driouech, 24, with Burnley and Celta Vigo now also interested.
- Rangers are reported to have since offered around €7.5 million, which PSV have not accepted, with PSV valuing the player at roughly €8 million including bonuses.
- Driouech scored seven goals in 38 appearances for PSV last season and signed from Excelsior for about €3.5 million.
- Rangers' interest reportedly intensified after a loan move for Mikey Moore from Tottenham Hotspur fell through.
- Celtic have also been active in the winger market, with bids for Fares Ghedjemis and Haissem Hassan among other ongoing pursuits.
