Rangers close in on Yusuf Kabadayi transfer to replace Abdallah Sima after fee agreed
Yusuf Kabadayi could be the man for Rangers to replace former loanee Abdallah Sima, according to Derek Ferguson.
The Light Blues have reportedly agreed a fee between £1million and £1.5m according to The 4th Official (9 June), with Chris Jack reporting for Rangers Review a day later that the Bayern Munich attacker was in line to become the fourth signing at Ibrox this summer.
Sima scored 16 times on loan at Ibrox last season but with Brighton only just appointing a new manager in Fabian Hurzeler a decision on whether he might return has not yet been made.
Like the three signings ahead of Kabadayi – Jefte, Oscar Cortes and Clinton Nsiala – Kabadayi is just 20, and his only senior experience came in the German second tier, but Ferguson likes the look of him and is in favour of completing a move.
“I don’t think Schalke had a great season but the boy performed pretty well,” he exclusively told Ibrox News.
“Again I think we’re talking about pace and power, and he’s at Bayern. Like Nsiala, you’re not at these clubs like AC Milan and Bayern Munich if you’re not a very good football player.
“So if there’s a deal to be done there you get him in. Left side as well. I think he can play a number of positions up top.
“He’s got a wee eye for goal as well that I’ve heard. A six foot-plus wide man, when he’s been described to me he seems a little bit like Sima.
“I’d love to keep Sima. I don’t think we will. So if he’s maybe one of the guys that they’re thinking could be the replacement, why not?”
Rangers push for Bayern Munich man amid uncertainty over Brighton loanee
After five goals in 26 appearances last term Kabadayi impressed sufficiently for Schalke to have wanted to keep him, with other suitors in Germany and Italy also present along with Rangers [Florian Plettenberg, 5 June].
The deal to secure Cortes for the long-term goes some of the way to filling the gap if Sima can’t be brought back, since the Colombian’s original loan in January was to replace the Senegal international, but Philippe Clement needs to add further attacking weapons and the fee for Kabadayi makes him a substantially cheaper option.
The Belgian lost numerous players to injury absences last term so it would be a boost if a deal can be closed for the German.
In other Rangers news, an in-demand ace is ready to snub English interest to discuss a move to Ibrox.
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