Chris Jack claims that if Rangers can strike a deal with Brighton this summer, Abdallah Sima might be persuaded to re-sign.
The attacker talked to the media before the Scottish Cup semi-final matchup with Hearts and following a questioning from the Rangers Review writer on April 19 regarding his future at Ibrox for the upcoming season. It was reported that the possibility of winning trophies might keep the “key” player at the team.
The Senegal international, who hasn’t played for the Premier League team in three years, came to Rangers on a season-long loan and now seems to have made it known that he would like to stay twice.
“This was the ideal team for me,” Sima remarked. I came here to have fun, earn points, and gain experience. Some of my more seasoned teammates have been a huge assistance to us. To be honest, I’m thrilled to be here. That was not the kind of season I had anticipated.
“I want to win and I am a winner. I like this club because I want to win everything here. For the sake of this team and the supporters, who I believe deserve everything, I hope to win.
The fact that I am truly content here is what matters most. It depends on more than just me. My family and I are content here. Being here is enjoyable for me.
Can the Rangers afford to replace Philippe Clement with Abdallah Sima?
If all else was equal, Philippe Clement would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to keep Sima in his starting lineup for the upcoming campaign, given that the 22-year-old has likely been the team’s most reliable attacker when healthy.
Ironically, the manager’s concern has not so much been the three months he lost due to injury as it has been the team’s severe decline that has coincided with Sima’s eagerly anticipated comeback.
It now appears that the forward areas of the transfer market will require a great deal of work, and since Clement’s budget is unknown, it is unclear if signing the Brighton player on a permanent basis would be feasible given the need to make other deals later on.
The Light Blues’ best chance of keeping the player who has scored 16 goals this season despite the lengthy injury layoff is undoubtedly to sign a fourth temporary contract with the Seagulls, who have already loaned him out three times without considering him ready to play in the Premier League.
If not, an agreement to retain Oscar Cortes—a weapon Clement has been denied due to a serious injury—might be more feasible when a striker is seemingly certain to be needed as well.
Sima is undoubtedly far from finished, so Brighton might be willing to let him continue to grow with a team where he has shown he feels at ease. Given his skill set thus far, this would be extremely beneficial for the manager should he decide to try to catch up to Celtic this summer.
