Potential Sima replacement that the Rangers could sign in the “next 24 hours”
Rangers and a gifted Colombian winger are almost ready to sign.
In terms of January arrivals, Glasgow Rangers appear to have finally found a gear in the last few days.
Up until the start of last week, only Fabio Silva had joined the Gers during the winter transfer window, on a loan that would take him through the conclusion of the season.
Seven days is a long time in any sport, much less football, and the Light Blues appear to have been exceedingly busy, to put it nicely.
First, it was confirmed that Mohamed Diomande would be Philippe Clement’s second window addition. Then, out of the blue, Fabricio Romano disclosed that Rangers had struck an agreement to buy Fluminense’s Brazilian left-back Jefte.
Now that Clement appears to have expanded his offensive options, it appears as though the Ibrox team will be adding another player.
Rangers’ pursuit of fresh acquisitions
Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack provided an update on the current state of affairs with regard to fresh transfer news, and it looks as though the Gers are showing interest in a move for Oscar Cortes, a talented winger who plays for Lens in Ligue 1.
He said on X: “Rangers are keen on a deal for Lens winger Oscar Cortes. 20-year-old poised to become the third signing of the window for boss Philippe Clement. Reports that Cortes is already on his way to Glasgow are wide of the mark.”
This interest was further backed up by prominent fan media channel Heart and Hand, who said: “The interest on Oscar Cortes is real. Rangers hoping to bring him in on loan in next 24-48 hours.”
After three weeks of rumours and unlikely transfers, two potential moves have come totally out of nothing, and it shows that Clement and Nils Koppen are tapping into markets neglected by previous regimes.
The move could make sense for more than one reason too, as Cortes may be an ideal Sima alternative on the left wing during the second half of the season.
Why Rangers require a substitute for Abdallah Sima
The Senegal national team’s training during the Africa Cup of Nations campaign resulted in a major thigh injury for the on-loan Brighton & Hove Albion winger, who is expected to be sidelined for some time.
The 22-year-old is now Clement’s most dependable attacking threat among the front three, so this is a serious setback to his quest for additional titles.
Sima has scored 15 goals and provided two assists in his first 33 games with the club. Only James Tavernier has scored more goals this season (17) than the young player, demonstrating how much of a loss the rest of the team will be.
The former Slavia Prague star is second in the Premiership squad for goals and assists(12), and he leads the team in successful dribbles per match (1.5) and shots per game (three), demonstrating that he has been one of Clement’s best attacking players since taking over the previous season.
Since domestic football resumed after the winter break, Rabbi Matondo has filled in as the left wing, but adding a player of Cortes’ caliber, who is eager for regular playing time, might be a brilliant move on the part of the Belgian coach.
Oscar Cortes’ time at Lens
The 20-year-old sensation arrived in France for a fee of around €4.5m (£3.8m) last summer having made his mark in Colombia for Millonarios, yet his spell in Europe has not quite gone to plan so far.
Since his arrival, he has played only four matches for the club, scoring once and grabbing an assist, yet he has been forced to play in a more advanced central position, which does not suit his strengths.
The young player is best out wide, but even though he is right-footed, Cortes might be used on the left wing to regularly cut in and offer a goal-scoring threat comparable to Sima’s.
Although he hasn’t had much playing experience, he has displayed flashes of his immense skill, and players need some time to get used to a new football system.
Cortes had a fantastic U20 World Cup for his country while he was shining in Colombia, and these performances ought to be the primary indicator of his skill level.
Oscar Cortes’s approach to acting
The winger contributed five assists and seven goals in just 28 games for Millonarios, which is a respectable return of one goal per 2.3 games.
These efforts, together with his results at the previously stated U20 World Cup, may have cemented his transfer to Lens.
In just five games for Colombia during that competition last year, Cortes scored four goals and dished out two assists. He also finished second in the tournament in terms of average Sofascore rating (7.6), ranking fourth in terms of goals and assists (six) and first in terms of big chances created, clearly displaying his full range of attacking abilities.
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