Sources: Rangers to open new signing talks – deal could smash club record set by Tore Andre Flo
Rangers are ready to open talks about a club-record deal for Adballah Sima, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking to the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track Podcast, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the Gers will “no doubt” hold talks with Brighton for a permanent move for the Senegal international after the January window shuts.
It is believed that Brighton would be open to a sale of the loanee in the summer, who is valued at between £10-15million.
A deal for Sima, if it can be agreed, would most likely break Rangers’ long-standing club-record deal, which is still Tore Andre Flo’s reported £12million move from Chelsea in November 2000.
Philippe Clement’s side are eager to keep Sima on a long-term basis following his excellent displays since joining the club on loan at the start of the season.
Brighton are hopeful that he will continue to drive up his price tag by excelling at Ibrox so he can attract further interest from other clubs.
Sima is Rangers’ top goalscorer in all competitions this season having bagged 15 goals across 33 appearances.
He was crucial in their successful Europa League group-stage campaign, notching three goals, and scored in their recent 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock in the league (2 January).
Rangers remain in the frame for other forward targets, with Football Insider revealing (17 January) that they, along with Celtic and Premier League trio Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Brentford, are tracking Bristol City hot-shot Tommy Conway.
Rangers sit second in the league and eight points away from top-of-the-league Celtic with two games in hand.
They next face Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup on Saturday evening (20 January).
In other news, Summer signing set to agree permanent Rangers move this year – ‘Huge’, says pundit
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