Ibrox View: Superb goal suggests Gassama would be top signing for Rangers, bid reportedly tabled
The transfer speculation keeps on coming thick and fast for Rangers at the moment.
The latest rumour doing the rounds is that the Gers have tabled a £2.75 million bid for Spanish-born Senegalese striker Sekou Gassama, as per Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb.
The 25-year-old is currently on loan at Spanish second tier outfit CF Fuenlabrada from La Liga side Real Valladolid.
With reported interest from across Europe meaning that Alfredo Morelos still faces an uncertain future at Ibrox this summer, a new striker could be a necessity for Steven Gerrard’s men.
But the Colombian would leave big boots to fill if he does depart in the coming weeks, and you have to ask whether Gassama is good enough to cut it for the Gers.
His goal tally of nine in 20 this season is hardly earth-shattering, but it looks a lot better when you realise that he has hit one every 126 minutes – a rate that is only 14 minutes worse than Morelos’.
There are other promising signs too.
For instance, Gassama has hit 0.64 goals per 90 minutes this term, despite having an xG of just 0.5, as per Wyscout.
That means that he scores 0.14 goals more than he is expected to per game.
By contrast, Morelos scores just 0.01 more than he is expected to.
Similarly, Gassama’s shot accuracy is just 1% lower than the South American’s while his dribble success rate is 23.4% better.
But a closer look at him in action really gives an insight into the kind of player he is.
Gassama scored twice in his side’s most recent outing – a 2-0 win over Numancia.
In the image above, you can see that he has just sprung the offside trap as a long ball is played over the top.
Constantly operating on the shoulder of the last man, Gassama is a defender’s nightmare, always looking to stretch the backline and get in behind where possible.
When is able to do so, he really comes into his own.
Even in this particular example, when he loses his footing completely and is forced to double back on his run, there is no panic or clumsiness, but rather, plenty of composure and smart thinking.
You would be forgiven from looking at the image above for wondering how Gassama went on and scored from that position.
Regaining his footing, Gassama shrugs off his defender with ease before turning back towards goal and creating enough room for himself to have a shot on goal.
His technique is flawless, and the strike combines both power and precision.
The keeper is beaten all ends up by the pace and whip on the ball, and it nestles beautifully in the top corner.
It really is a superb strike, and if it’s any evidence of what Gassama is capable of on a a regular basis, then he could be a fantastic asset for the Gers – regardless of if Morelos leaves or not.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox Exclusive: Alex Bruce hails Gers after 32,000 season ticket sales.