An update has emerged on Rangers and their interest in bringing a number nine to Ibrox in the summer transfer window...
What's the talk?
Rangers insider The 4th Official has revealed that Gio van Bronckhorst has added another striker to his wishlist ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
They Tweeted: "New from me: Rangers have Ellis Simms as an option while Hearts are definitely interested in getting the Everton striker back on loan."
Their Patreon page states that they have been "informed by a reliable source" that the Light Blues are keen on a deal for the Everton attacker.
Imagine him and Ryan Kent
If Ross Wilson and van Bronckhorst can plot a successful swoop for the forward, Simms can form an exciting partnership with Ryan Kent on the pitch next season.
He spent the second half of 2021/22 on loan to Hearts and caught the eye in the Premiership. In 11 top-flight starts, the 21-year-old scored five goals and assisted one - creating one 'big chance' for his teammates.
This came after an impressive spell in League One with Blackpool in England. The gem produced ten goals and one assist in 19 third-tier starts, showing that he has been able to handle the step up to playing senior football.
Everton U23s assistant John Ebbrell previously hailed the striker, saying: “What I do know with Ellis, if he ends up one-vs-one with the goalkeeper, he’s scoring.
“From experience, I know if you have time to think for that finish it can be difficult but Ellis is really calm and composed in those situations. He very rarely misses.”
The £1.3k-per-week dynamo caught Ebbrell's eye whilst playing youth team football with the Toffees. He scored an astounding 58 goals in 83 games for the club at U18 and U23 level combined, which is a phenomenal return that illustrated his immense potential.
Now, imagine how many goals he could score with Kent providing him with passes and crosses.
The Gers winger created ten 'big chances' and produced 1.7 key passes per game in the Premiership last term, after managing nine 'big chances' and 1.8 key passes per match in 2020/21.
He has proven that he can be a consistent creator for the team out wide and this means that he can regularly put chances on a plate for Simms to score from. The Everton man's record at youth and senior level suggests that he has the quality to find the back of the net when given the opportunity to and that is why they can be an exciting partnership for the club.