‘We can’t’: Manager gives Rangers and Sunderland boost in race for £500k bargain

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Hearts have all-but ruled themselves out of the race to sign Everton’s Premier League youngster Ellis Simms in a boost for Rangers and Sunderland, manager Robbie Nielson tells the Edinburgh Evening News. 

According to the Scottish Sun, it could take a bid in the region of just £500,000 to lure Simms away from Goodison Park. 

That relatively meagre sum still a bit rich for Hearts’ blood, however – especially after the Edinburgh outfit splashed out a similar six-figure sum on Lawrence Shankland earlier in the week. 

“Yes, I would think so,” Nielson said when asked if the chances of Simms returning for a second spell on Tynecastle were all-but over. “It was always one that was probably going to be out of our means anyway. 

“We are pushing the club forward and the board have been outstanding backing us but there are levels we can’t get to. That’s probably one that we can’t.” 

Where next for Everton’s Ellis Simms?

21-year-old Simms scored seven times in all competitions during an impressive loan spell at Tynecastle last term. Those all-action displays reportedly caught the eye of Premiership rivals Rangers, per The Express, amid doubts surrounding the long-term future of Alfredo Morelos at Ibrox. 

Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images

Hearts may be in no position to invest £500,000 in Simms. But Rangers, in contrast, are not exactly strapped for cash. They banked around £30 million following the sales of Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo to Ajax and Southampton respectively.

“The one player in Scotland I’d look at for Rangers is Simms,” former Ibrox ace Kenny Miller tells the Daily Record. “I really like the look of him. When you see the trouble Rangers had with strikers towards the end of the season, it’s something I’d consider.  

“He might be as close to a Morelos as you’re going to get. The physicality he’s got, the running power and the quality of goals he’s scored… 

“He’s someone I think could be interesting.” 

Sunderland also in the race

According to The Chronicle, Championship newcomers Sunderland are also interested in former Blackpool loanee Simms. 

The Black Cats enjoyed great success with another Everton youngster last season. Nathan Broadhead’s 13 goals in 27 games played a major role in their successful promotion bid. 

Sunderland would love to bring Broadhead back. But Toffees boss Frank Lampard is keen to have a closer look at the late-blooming 24-year-old during Everton’s pre-season tour of the United States.

“We will have a conversation with Everton,” Sunderland director Kristjaan Speakman said a couple of weeks ago.

“We have to respect the fact that he is an Everton player. We’ve seen him as our player for the year, because we had to get the best out of him.

“But now that the season is finished he unfortunately goes back to being an Everton player.” 

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