Rangers FC

Brighton CEO in transfer update amid Abdallah Sima pursuit as fresh £30m bid launched

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2024

Rangers’ interest in loan Brighton attacker Abdallah Sima looks set to be the saga of the summer.

The Senegalese forward, 22, found a home in Glasgow last season and had it not been for a serious mid-campaign injury might’ve fired the club to a legendary treble.

As a result of the brief love affair, Abdallah Sima has been clear that he wants a more permanent switch to Rangers ahead of next season.

The attacker’s even been pining for it on social media.

Rangers too have intimated their desire to return for the forward and now Brighton have been discussing the Premier League club’s transfer plans this season.

Head coach Fabian Huerzeler of St. Pauli looks on prior to the the Second Bundesliga match between FC St. Pauli and VfL Osnabrück at Millerntor Sta... — Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images

Brighton CEO talks transfers

Brighton have now unveiled their ambitious new manager to the English media ahead of the new campaign.

Fabian Hurzeler – who is the tender age of 31-years-old – has just been appointed the youngest first-team manager in Premier League history via the south coast club.

As a result of the appointment, it’s a summer of change at Brighton and there is some uncertainty over several players coming in and moving out of the club’s squad.

It’s led to Brighton CEO Paul Barber being asked directly about the comings and goings at the club as Hurzeler was unveiled to the press.

“(Fans can expect) a lot of speculation probably,” said Barber when asked about the comings and goings at the club.

“We will always try to strengthen our squad wherever we can and obviously we’d prefer to do that in the summer, wherever it’s possible.

“The window is what is it but yeah, Fabian will certainly get the support he needs.”

When asked about players leaving the club, Barber said: “Every club in the Premier League and the top leagues in football, if they do well they’re going to come under scrutiny and therefore their players and their staff are going to be sought after.

“Obviously we want to keep our players and our best staff. We know that they’re coveted from other clubs from time to time but that’s part of the business we’re in.

“We’re confident always of keeping our best people but we’re also very aware that we’re in a competitive market and good people will always be coveted by others.”

Certainly not giving anything away then.

Brighton manager set to meet Sima

Fabian Hurzeler has also been speaking about his plans with the Brighton squad as his tenure gets underway at the club.

Claiming that he’s already spoken with some players in the club’s team, it’s unclear if Rangers target Abdallah Sima has been part of those discussions.

Nonetheless it appears Hurzeler will want to meet with the Senegalese striker before any decision is made on the attacker’s future.

The German manager has been talking about his plans as he gets his feet under the desk at the AMEX.

“I had a lot of very, very open chats and open calls (with the team),” said Hurzeler.

“I really like these open-minded characters, these helpful characters here in this team, that’s something special what I feel.

“I am looking forward to meeting them in person although I know some of them already personally, although not the whole team.”

The ex-St Pauli boss has certainly already been backed with Brighton plumping up £33m to sign Newcastle United teenager Yankuba Minteh.

The spending isn’t expected to stop there either with Hurzeler’s recruitment team – led by Rangers Hall of Famer and Brighton technical director Davie Weir – launching another attacker bid this week.

Sky Sports claim that Brighton have bid £30m for Leeds United attacker Georginio Rutter.

Only the Elland Road club – who’ve just banked £40m from the sale of Archie Gray to Tottenham – are not willing to play ball with attacker.

Even if Brighton continue to recruit in Sima’s position, it appears that Rangers will have to wait as Hurzeler assesses his squad ahead of the new season.

But with a number of high profile names targeted in the final third at the Seagulls, we suspect Sima is likely to move on this window.

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