Rangers leave PSV surprised as they pull out of Driouech deal

Rangers have withdrawn from a proposed deal to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech, with the player carrying an injury and the Dutch champions expressing their surprise at the decision.

The 24-year-old was at Ibrox to watch Rangers's 1-1 draw with Jagiellonia Bialystok, with the Polish side progressing to the Europa League play-off round 3-2 on aggregate.

He will now return to PSV as Rangers turn their attention to other targets who will be available to play immediately as they prepare to host St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup last 16 and next Thursday's Conference League play-off against Jabolonec.

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has expressed his desire to add creativity from the wings and Driouech, who predominantly plays on the left, scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 40 appearances last season.

That is despite being often used as a substitute, starting just once in PSV's eight Champions League outings and coming off the bench 24 times in the Eredivisie.

Commenting on Rangers' decision, PSV head coach Peter Bosz stated that Driouech would not be involved against Excelsior on Sunday but would be back in his squad as soon as possible.

"Of course that was a surprise," Bosz said at a press conference, quoted by Voetbal International. "The clubs had reached an agreement. I thought everything was settled.

"I haven't had any further contact with him, so I don't know when he will be back. In a situation like this, you sit down with him, talk and listen.

"In any case, my message is that he is one of my players again, that we have to win matches together and I need his help with that too.

"I understand very well that it is a huge disappointment. That is allowed, I get that, but it has to go away and preferably as soon as possible. Only then will he be available again."

Rangers have signed nine players over the summer and chairman Andrew Cavenagh said on Monday he expected "three to five more" while "a number will possibly go out", with midfielder Mohamed Diomande sold to Turkish club Corum on Wednesday.

Having come through the youth ranks at Heerenveen, Driouech rose to prominence with Excelsior, making 101 appearances and scoring 16 goals before his high-profile transfer to PSV in the summer of 2024.

Known for his quick feet, speed, precise finishing and ability to play on both wings, Haarlem-born Driouech had the choice of also representing France and the Netherlands but was part of the Morocco squad that won the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in 2023.