Rangers fans could yet see Malik Tillman rock up at Ibrox this summer – only the USA international will likely be wearing the colours of PSV Eindhoven if he does so.
After this week’s Champions League Playoff draw, Rangers know they will face either Eredivisie outfit PSV Eindhoven or Austrian side Sturm Graz for a place in the competition proper should the Ibrox side overcome Servette.
And amid gathering reports that Malik Tillman is set to move to PSV Eindhoven on a year-long loan with an option-to-buy, it means the USA international could wind up back at Ibrox this season after all.
Malik Tillman could return to Rangers with PSV Eindhoven
Malik Tillman set up Antonio Colak for that all-important goal in Eindhoven which ensured Rangers defeated PSV 1-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate to reach the Champions League for the first time in 12 years.
The attacking midfielder impressed across the season and even managed to nab the PFA Scotland and official Rangers Young Player of the Year awards.
With Rangers initially hoping to make that Tillman loan move permanent this summer, Bayern Munich ripped up the Gers’ option at the cost of £1m in compensation with the Ibrox side also set to benefit from any future fee.
But whilst there had been interest from the Premier League in Malik Tillman this summer, it looks like the Rood-Witten are set to complete a deal which, according to one journalist, could eventually be worth up to £12m (€14m).
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg claims that PSV will pay Bayern an initial €1m (£860k) to sign Malik Tillman on loan, with the option set at €12m-14m (£10m-£12m).
This option is at least double the widely reported £5m deal Rangers had initially struck with Bayern Munich.
Tough tie awaits if Rangers can overcome Servette
Rangers know all too well the qualities of Malik Tillman and PSV Eindhoven will have nabbed themselves a top quality player if the move for the Bayern talent goes through.
The switch will also soften the blow of Xavi Simons leaving the club, the Dutch playmaker returning to PSG in the summer after an impressive season at the Philips Stadion.
The Dutch side were particularly salty after last year’s tie and will have revenge in their sights with both Rangers and PSV favourites to progress to the Playoff.
However, both sides know clashes against Servette and Sturm Graz respectively are no gimme and all will certainly become clearer in the weeks ahead.
The nerves are jangling as Ibrox heads for a Champions League QR3 knockout with Swiss outfit Servette, who come to Ibrox having overcome Belgian side Genk in the last round.
The Super League side showed their mettle to also pop up late and avoid a similar fate to the Gers over the weekend.
