Rangers will ‘explore’ a deal to sign Abdallah Sima on a permanent basis from Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion in January but could face competition from clubs around Europe.
If there was an award to be handed out to Rangers’ best signing of the summer, Jack Butland – only a couple of weeks ago – would have been making space on his mantelpiece and stocking up on silver polish.
At last, however, Butland has some competition for this admittedly very made-up gong. Abdallah Sima has been the most in-form forward in the country of late, scoring in five successive games in all competitions while rediscovering the golden touch which made him a man in such high demand when exploding onto the scene at Slavia Prague back in 2020/21.
It should come as no surprise, then, that Rangers are unlikely to have a free run at Sima in the New Year.
Rangers want to keep Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima
Reporter Peter O’Rourke believes that various clubs from across the continent have also taken note of the Senegal international, with Rangers set to face considerable competition if – as expected – they attempt to turn Sima’s loan deal into a permanent transfer during the January window.
Their chances of success, meanwhile, may also depend on how much of that £7 million investment Brighton hope to recoup. The Seagulls are, at least, unlikely to stand in Sima’s way. The former Stoke City loanee has not made a single appearance for Roberto de Zerbi’s side since joining the South Coast club two years ago.
“(Sima) has been a real attacking threat for us this season,” Rangers captain James Tavernier said this week, the 22-year-old’s purple patch in stark contrast to the struggles of Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers (Daily Record).
“He’s got electric pace and can finish in difficult areas.
“Generally, with our forwards, we have to give them better service as a team. We need to get around them and give them opportunities to get on the scoresheet. The same as Abdallah.”
‘A real attacking threat’
Sima showcased another side of his game, thriving in a more defensively-minded wing-back role, as Philippe Clement’s side secured a hard-earned draw away at Slavia’s city rivals Sparta Prague in the Europa League group-stages.
