Philippe Clement chases ‘perfect’ Oscar Cortez Rangers transfer in plan to replace Brighton loan star Abdallah Sima.
According to the Daily Record, Philippe Clement sees Oscar Cortes as the “perfect” replacement for Abdallah Sima in the Rangers’ attacking lineup.
The tabloid said on its website late on January 29 that the talented Lens winger has already returned to Europe to finalize a move, and the Light Blues are “hopeful” to complete the deal before the deadline, despite rumors in Colombia claiming it was already completed.
The 20-year-old is available just months after moving to France from Millonarios for £4 million, having made only four Ligue 1 appearances off the bench, but the Gers manager has identified Colombia’s top scorer at the South American Youth Championships last year as the ideal addition to his squad.
Sima, an on-loan Brighton attacker who has scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, will be out for up to three months due to a thigh injury sustained while playing for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Big shoes to fill
Sima has risen above the problems of some of his fellow summer signings to establish himself as a Rangers star this season, and it’s easy to forget that he’s only 22 years old.
The Light Blues are also the fourth club he has played for in the previous two and a half seasons, except the Seagulls, for whom he has yet to feature, indicating a lack of consistency for some time.
So, while Cortes may be young and uneasy to be on the move so soon after leaving his home country for France, there is precedent for making a significant effect right in front of him.
Clement must have identified the perfect guy to replace Sima if he is to have any hope of adding to his Viaplay Cup title this season.
Without a proven goal scorer arriving before the 1 February deadline, it is now up to Cyriel Dessers, who has had a difficult start at Rangers but
appears to be rising to the task of being the last man standing at striker, to lead the team to more success.
Ross McCausland and Fabio Silva are also talented young players, but they aren’t consistent goal scorers.
Todd Cantwell and others can help, but it appears that Dessers and James Tavernier will have to put up the numbers unless Cortes arrives and quickly follows Sima’s lead.
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