Ibrox view: Rangers near Abdallah Sima return decision as Brighton set to break record

Abdallah Sima is a step closer to learning whether his future could include a return to Rangers with Brighton set to appoint a new manager.

The Senegalese forward proved to be a quality addition to the squad in Glasgow last season as he delivered 16 goals in all competitions while playing primarily off the left wing, despite missing three months out injured between January and April.

That return represents a large proportion of the attacking output under Michael Beale and Philippe Clement last term, making a deal to keep him at Ibrox attractive if it works out financially.

Sima himself has publicly indicated on more than one occasion that he would be interested in continuing at Rangers if something can be agreed between the clubs.

Rangers Review reported on 6 June that a decision on his future was not likely to be made until Brighton appoint a new manager, having parted ways with Roberto De Zerbi at the end of the season, but that move is now imminent.

Fabian Hurzeler set to replace Roberto De Zerbi at the Amex

Sky Sports reported on 9 June that the Seagulls had secured a work permit for St Pauli boss Fabian Hurzeler, with the 31-year-old in line to become the youngster Premier League manager in history if he comes in at the Amex.

Fabrizio Romano has now reported a day later that the German is expected to sign a deal down south in the next 48 hours, as talks progress on a compensation agreement for the record-breaking move.

What Hurzeler plans to do with Sima will clearly play a major role in the 22-year-old’s future, and if the coach doesn’t see him in the plans for next season it would raise the possibility of a Rangers return.

The wide man has still yet to make a senior appearance for his parent club, with his Light Blues move following loans at Stoke City and Angers.

But Ibrox News pundit Derek Ferguson isn’t convinced the club can afford to do a permanent deal to bring Sima back, suggesting it would require an eight-figure fee.

Permanent Rangers signing would be expensive

Having signed him for £6million from Slavia Prague in 2021 the Seagulls are unlikely to want to let him go for free as he enters into the final year of his contract, but The Athletic reported at the time of the original deal that there was believed to be an extra year’s option available.

If Hurzeler doesn’t think Sima is ready to contribute in the Premier League, and the player has made clear his comfort at Rangers, then the chance that Brighton exercise his contract option and allow him to return on a second loan deal can’t be discounted, unless they receive a more lucrative offer from elsewhere.

So with the English club on the brink of securing their new manager a key hurdle is set to be cleared towards Sima discovering where he will be playing next term.

In other Rangers news, a club chief has admitted that he is working to stretch the budget to sign a costly Ibrox ace.

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