Sekou Gassama celebrates after scoring a goal while playing for Almeria in the Spanish second division. (Image Credits: Twitter)
According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Daily Record), Rangers have launched a £2.7m bid for Real Valladolid striker Sekou Gassama.
The 25-year-old is currently on loan with Spanish second division side Fuenlabrada. He has scored three goals from seven league games at Fuenlabrada since moving to the side in January earlier this year.
Gassama’s rise as a goal-scoring forward has been a gradual process, wherein he has turned up for 11 clubs in seven years, mostly featuring for the B sides. Having started his youth career at La Liga giants Barcelona, Gassama turned pro with Almeria B in the second division and then had spells with Valladolid B, Rayo Vallecano B, and Bergantinos.
Despite playing in the second division for some time, Gassama started to receive attention after appearing for third division sides Badalona and Saint Andrea. He made a name for himself at Saint Andrea which earned him a move back to Almeria B side in the summer of 2017.
His impressive displays at Almeria’s B side soon earned him a move to their senior team last summer, where he once again continued his good form. Gassama netted 6 goals from 14 league games in the second-tier before another switch to Valladolid in January.
With as many as four strikers already in the side, the La Liga club, however, soon sent him on loan back to the second division to feature for Fuenlabrada.
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have had a successful season, finishing second behind champions Celtic. Despite the side’s recent improvements, they have failed to topple Celtic’s dominance in the domestic arena.
They also face a concern regarding the future of their star striker Alfredo Morelos, who has been the subject of transfer speculation in recent times. The Colombian striker was sensational this term for the Rangers, scoring 29 goals across all competitions. Losing him could hurt them badly next season.
Apart from Morelos, Rangers have Englishman Jermain Defoe, who will join them when the new season resumes. Defoe, however, will turn 38 this October, and is clearly not a long-term option for the side. They also have another veteran Greg Stewart, who joined them from Birmingham City last summer. But the 30-year-old finisher has not been consistent throughout the season.
He has managed just three goals despite making 16 league appearances, making it evident that Rangers lack depth in their striking department in the long run. That said, it would be safe for Gerrard and his side to make a move for Gassama as it could at least bolster his side’s attacking options next season.
Apart from Morelos, Rangers lack a young goal-scoring forward in their ranks and this will affect the club in the long run. Thus, a move for in-form Gassama seems like a wise decision by the club and they should push ahead with their pursuit of landing him at the Ibrox.
