PSV watcher Rik Elfrink has criticised the circumstances surrounding Couhaib Driouech’s failed move to Rangers, calling it “very sad” for the PSV winger.

Driouech appeared to be on the verge of leaving PSV for Rangers last week. The forward had even travelled to Ibrox on Thursday to watch his prospective club play, but the Scottish side cancelled the transfer the following day.

The decision came after Rangers' medical staff identified a minor injury and reportedly concluded that Driouech could be unavailable for around six weeks.

The failed move is another setback for PSV, which has now seen four transfers collapse at an advanced stage in 2026. Ricardo Pepi's proposed move to Fulham collapsed in March, while Armando Obispo and Adamo Nagalo also saw their transfers fail to go through at the last moment this summer.

Speaking on the Heet van de Herdgang podcast from Eindhovens Dagblad, PSV watcher Rik Elfrink questioned the decision after Driouech returned to training remarkably quickly.

“It’s very sad for that guy. I find it unbelievable and I noticed they think the same at PSV. At Rangers, they were convinced that Driouech would be out for six weeks. PSV thought: in one week he’ll be back. And if you then let a deal worth 8 million hinge on that,” Elfrink said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

The winger was back on the training pitch at PSV's open session on Tuesday, adding to a transfer saga that had seemed almost settled only days earlier.

Elfrink was particularly critical of Rangers' handling of the situation, suggesting the Scottish club could have explored another solution rather than immediately abandoning the agreement.

“I found it so sad. That boy was already in the Rangers stadium. I just don't understand at all. Rangers could also have said: for that six-week injury we want to offer a discount. But that was not discussed at all.”

The PSV watcher believes the circumstances made the situation particularly difficult for the player, who had already travelled to Glasgow and begun preparing for life at his prospective new club.

“Rangers simply said: we are not doing that. I think it’s rather inhumane. You dangle a carrot in front of Driouech,” Elfrink continued.

Driouech has since returned to PSV and resumed training with Peter Bosz's squad, despite the assessment from Rangers that he could face a lengthy spell out.

Elfrink remains deeply unhappy with how the episode unfolded.

“I find this… Well. This comes across as very bad for me. That guy was already sitting there with his agent. It’s also absolutely bad for him. Everyone was under the impression that everything was fine. It’s not good, you know,” he concluded.

For Driouech, the immediate focus is now back on PSV, after a move that appeared certain ended abruptly at the final stage.