Rangers have once again been linked with a move for BK Hacken’s Ivorian winger Benie Traore – but only as a back-up replacement to Abdallah Sima.
A report in Mail Plus has appeared to corroborate claims earlier in the week that Rangers were in for the 20-year-old attacker, these originating from journalist Alan Nixon.
This comes after Benie Traore has banged in an impressive 15 goals in 19 games for the Allsvenskan side this season with Old Firm rivals Celtic also mentioned.
The chatter had suggested that Rangers would need to cough up around £4m to sign Benie Traore with several fans crossing their fingers and hoping the club secure a deal for what is a talented young forward.
But the Mail report reveals there is a catch with regards those Rangers links to the attacker, who operates off the left but who can also play through the middle when required.
Benie Traore is ‘Abdallah Sima Rangers back-up option’
Specifically, this is that Rangers only have Hacken’s Benie Traore on their shortlist as back-up should a deal for Brighton attacker Abdallah Sima fall through this week.
Rangers are well familiar with 22-year-old Senegal attacker Sima, who plays in the same position as Traore, from the attacker’s time with Slavia Prague.
The big attacker stole the show against both Leicester City and Rangers in the season the Ibrox club came up against the Czech team in the Europa League semi-finals, the striker clearly leaving an impression Michael Beale, who was Ibrox assistant at the time.
Rangers are in the hunt to replace the influence of Ryan Kent off that left-hand side next season with the Mail Plus report claiming that Michael Beale wants to add two more forwards to the squad.
With Sam Lammers already in the door following a reported £3.5m move from Atalanta, next up for Rangers is a move for Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers and Senegalese forward Abdallah Sima.
If the Dessers move falls through, Rangers will reportedly target Brazilian striker Danilo of Feyenoord, whilst if the Sima move falls through, attentions will quickly turn to Benie Traore.
Abdallah Sima moved to Brighton for a reported £7m in 2021, with an injury-plagued loan spell at Stoke City and relegation campaign at Angers representing a disappointing few years for the attacker.
Whatever happens, it looks like we’re in for a busy week at Rangers so strap yourselves in.
