Michael Beale ready to break his own Rangers transfer rule to sign Abdallah Sima with deal now close
Rangers boss Michael Beale is ready to break his own transfer rule to complete the loan signing of Brighton forward Abdallah Sima, according to the Daily Record.
The Record have reported (29 June) that Sima will complete his medical and sign a season-long loan in the next 24 hours, but Brighton refused to include an option to buy the Senegal international outright in the deal.
Beale has previously suggested that he would not entertain loans or short-term fixes as he looks to complete a major rebuild of his Rangers squad during his first summer in charge, however his admiration for Sima has seen him break his own rule.
Sima is yet to make his Brighton debut two years after arriving on the South Coast from Slavia Prague in a £7million switch, spending the last two seasons out on loan with Stoke City and French side Angers.
Talent
Sima must be an extremely talented player if Beale is willing to break his own rule to bring him to Scotland.
Last summer Malik Tillman was brought to Rangers on a season-long loan deal from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. A buy option of £5million was inserted in the contract, but after Tillman’s impressive season, in which he was named Scotland’s young player of the year, Bayern Munich went back on the agreement.
This same heartache may now once again be experienced by Gers fans. If Sima is as talented as Beale clearly believes he is, the forward may have a terrific season and not necessarily be sticking around long-term.
Fans’ first concern will be whether or not Sima can help them this season as they look to challenge Celtic for the title. If he can, he will become an instant hero among the Rangers faithful who are once again at risk of loan heartbreak.
As the old saying goes, never fall in love with a loan player.
In other Rangers news, a £7million update has emerged as the club target another first-team signing.