It’s fair to say PFA Young Player of the Year winner Malik Tillman has enjoyed a successful loan spell at Rangers. The club agreed a buy fee thought to be around £5m to make the transfer permanent. It’s not that simple though, even if Rangers want the transfer to happen, it’s still up to the player to also agree terms.
He was interviewed at the PFA awards and through a wry smile he said ‘it might not be the end’. Michael Beale has said multiple times that the club want to make the move permanent and it was just down to the player agreeing terms. It’s never that easy though is it?
As much as fans would like it to be, it’s not an easy decision for the young American. He’s been excellent in Scotland and improved massively as a player. He even said he was delighted at how his defensive game had improved after that side of his game being criticised earlier in the season. He’s now an all round midfielder, capable of doing the dirty side of things alongside picking up goals and assists.
Now it all depends on where he sees his future. He knows he’ll get plenty of first team minutes and experience at Ibrox. He may fancy his chances of impressing new Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel though. If that’s the case and leaves to go back to Bayern, the chances of Rangers getting him back become slim to none.
That’s completely his prerogative though, you can’t fault a player for wanting to take that chance. He also uploaded a highlight reel on Instagram of his season. Fans seem to be either taking that as a good bye or ‘see you next season’ probability is that he’s just happy with his season and wanted to highlight it.
So how were his SPFL numbers this season?
- 28 Appearances (22 Starts)
- 10G/4A
- 1.6 Key Passes Per Game
- 46 Chances Created
- 2 Tackles Per Game
- 45% Dribble Success (1.5 Per Game)
- 48% Duels Won (6.3 Per Game)
This was his first full professional and he’s only 20 years old. That’s why fans want to sign him, he’s already this good at such a young age. There’s is plenty of room and time for improvement and there shouldn’t be any doubt he’ll be worth well over £5m once signed.
The potential to make huge profit is there, depending on any potential buy back clause for Bayern of course. If the club is supposed to be following a player trading model then this is the type of deal that makes perfect sense.
It isn’t that simple however, as the whole squad needs an overhaul so can they afford £5m on a position which is already overloaded with players?
Malik Tillman is an incredible young talent and could thrive at Ibrox. IF, that’s a big if, he wants his future to be at Ibrox, would you spend the money to make his transfer permanent?