By Doug Ward

5th Jul, 2022 | 9:18am

Rangers could table bid to sign Everton striker Ellis Simms on permanent basis - Ryan Taylor

Rangers could submit a bid to sign Everton striker Ellis Simms on a permanent deal this summer, according to Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

Writing on the Express website on Tuesday (5 July), Taylor reported that Middlesbrough are one of a number of English Championship clubs who are also keen on signing the 21-year-old centre-forward, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Hearts.

It is understood that Simms is currently with Everton for pre-season training and will be assessed by manager Frank Lampard in the coming weeks.

Get him in

While we don’t see Simms as someone who’d start every match for Rangers if he was to join this summer, he is someone who could be a good squad player.

Simms did well at Hearts last season.

In 21 appearances across all competitions, he scored seven goals with two of them coming in the Scottish Cup to help Hearts reach the final, which was won by the Gers.

Simms also scored against Celtic in the league so he’s shown that he can step up for the big occasions in Scottish football – and he’s only 21 years old.

Simms is a physical presence up front and that would make him a good option for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to have.

However, there are a couple of big obstacles in the way for the Light Blues to complete the signing of the English striker.

Although Everton have a wealthy, billionaire owner in Farhad Moshiri, they are crippled by Financial Fair Play issues and they’ve just sold Richarlison to Tottenham.

Simms could be seen as a first-team player at Goodison Park next season and that’s why Lampard is reportedly assessing him during pre-season training.

There’s also the issue of money as Simms is young, English and a man in demand.

He could cost a lot for the Gers to sign him permanently.

In other Rangers news, this Ibrox star is wanted in a £24million double swoop with one medical already scheduled.