Rangers set for ‘coup’ with Abdallah Sima loan amid ‘excited’ update from Jonny McFarlane
Abdallah Sima should be sealed as a Rangers signing “sooner rather than later” and will be a “coup” to bring in, according to Jonny McFarlane.
The journalist believes that the Light Blues could play the Brighton man in a similar role to Fashion Sakala once his loan move goes through, and is “excited” for his arrival.
Michael Beale has been frustrated in his attempts to add further attackers to Sam Lammers, with the Cyriel Dessers pursuit apparently reaching such a dead end that back-up target Danilo has now been bid for, but noises are far more positive on Senegal international Sima.
McFarlane said on the Rangers Review YouTube channel on Tuesday (27 June, 12m 20s): “Him coming to Rangers is a coup, and my understanding is that the reports have been accurate that Sima is a player that Rangers are looking at, and it’s one that the club are hoping to finalise sooner rather than later.
“I would expect another couple of deals to be done before Rangers get back to it [preseason] and this is one of the ones I would fancy to be sealed now…
“In terms of Sima I think that’s progressing quite nicely and it’s a deal that I for one am pretty excited about. This is a guy who can play wide, and Rangers don’t really play wingers. I would fancy him to be converted, almost playing in that Sakala-type role as a sort of 9.5.”
Boost
It may only be a loan but if the 22-year-old can recapture the form that he displayed with 20 goals at Slavia Prague two seasons ago, which inspired the Seagulls to sign him in the first place, this could be a very important addition.
They aren’t the same sort of players but given how Malik Tillman looks to have translated a successful temporary move to Ibrox into a suitably enhanced profile Sima could be in line to do the same.
Beale has hit somewhat of a rough patch with his transfer business after a fruitful start to the summer, which was always possible.
So wrapping up this deal, even as a loan, will come at a welcome point in the window, and if McFarlane is right that another could be in before the players get back to work that should get things back on track.
It would be nice if the long-awaited Jose Cifuentes move could be wrapped up and the manager is eyeing a breakthrough at the weekend (1-2 July).
If the Ecuadorian is brought to Glasgow soon then it would appear that central defence and another forward will be the priorities.
Jonathan Panzo and Auston Trusty have proven beyond the Rangers budget so far, and striker is perhaps unsurprisingly becoming difficult.
But if Beale could have six new arrivals to work with from the start of the preseason it won’t be bad going at this stage.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been tipped to make as many as four more signings still.