Philippe Clement confirms latest talks with Brighton over future of Abdallah Sima

Philippe Clement has confirmed Rangers are in discussions with Brighton over Abdallah Sima – but that no decision has been taken on the attacker’s loan deal.

Rangers have been rocked by the news that the 15-goal attacker is set to miss up to three months after undergoing surgery for an issue sustained with the Senegal team at AFCON.

The forward was a key part of the squad in the first half of the campaign and Sima’s absence is viewed as a major blow to the club’s trophy hopes.

Naturally, the situation has had plenty fearing that Abdallah Sima might’ve played his last game for Rangers but as things stand, Brighton are yet to make a call on the loan switch.

Abdallah Sima Brighton talks ongoing
Speaking after the Scottish Premiership win over Hibs, Philippe Clement had already confirmed the player’s injury situation ahead of the game.

Three months takes the attacker into April and with only a month left of the campaign, there are faint hopes Sima can have an impact at the business end of the season.

Asked about talks with Brighton – who may well wish to rehab their £6m attacker themselves – and potentially signing a replacement, Clement was clear a decision is yet to be taken.

“First about Abda, those are things that we discuss with Brighton so that’s the first step,” said Clement. “Secondly I don’t talk about positions or what we’re going to do.

“I think everybody is getting bored of my answers already after a few weeks but speak with Belgian journalists they had it a few years like that every transfer market. But it is the way it is. I cannot speak about those things. I speak about those things in the club, that’s the most important.”

Asked about the injury, Clement said: “The surgery went well, the surgeon was pleased how it went, everything went good, so it will be in between two or three months that he will be out.”

Philippe Clement’s Rangers injury woes continue
The injury to Abdallah Sima is obviously a huge blow to Rangers and Ibrox fans will be watching closely to see what happens with Brighton.

The Gers are already missing Danilo and Kemar Roofe, with the attacking trio three of five long-term injury problems which has Rangers missing around £20m of talent.

The Gers boss is always tight-lipped on transfers but someone is going to have to step up in the place of Sima and start registering more numbers for the club.

Whether that’s from within the squad, or the transfer market, something will have to give with an almighty hole needing plugged after the devastating injury blow.