Premier League clubs have registered an interest in signing a USMNT star who impressed while on loan with Rangers from Bayern Munich last season.
US international Malik Tillman, who has won four senior caps, experienced something of a breakout campaign during his temporary stay in Glasgow, winning plaudits for his performances after scoring 12 times from midfield in 43 outings. Although the Gers were unable to topple Celtic at the top of the SPL table, the Nuremburg-born ace won a series of individual honours including Scotland PFA Young Player of the Year and Rangers' Young Player of the Year.
The 55-time Scottish champions do hold an option to sign the 21-year-old for £5million this summer following his successful loan but Bayern are holding out in the case of a higher offer. With Brighton and Brentford holding an interest in the player, according to the Daily Mail, it could well be that they are in a position to gazump the SPL giants.
The youngster, who represents the USMNT due to his parentage, did make seven appearances for the perennial Bundesliga champions last year but appears to be heading for a permanent exit. An academy product for the Bavarian side, the prospect was riding the crest of a wave in Glasgow until a cruel injury in the Scottish Cup semi-final curtailed his season with five games to go.
Rangers manager Michael Beale is currently overseeing an overhaul of the side he inherited from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and has already made five signings during his tenure, with three of these coming this summer alone. A deal for LAFC star Jose Cifuentes could also potentially be in the pipeline, as the ex-QPR boss looks to put his own stamp on his squad,
The former Aston Villa assistant coach has also tied up the signatures of Kieran Dowell from Norwich City, Dujon Sterling from Chelsea and Jack Butland from Crystal Palace following the end of the season. Speaking towards the backend of last season, it was clear that Beale is still holding out hope for a permanent deal for Bayern youngster Tillman.
Following the prodigy's return to Germany, the Rangers manager told Sky Sports: "That [talk of permanent deal] is all still on-going in the background as well. Me and Malik are in a great place on a personal level. He's been brilliant for the club and I think brilliant for me in my time here."
He also waxed lyrical about the youngster's talents during his year-long temporary stay at Ibrox, adding: "He's been brilliant for the club and I think brilliant for me in my time here.
"He's a player I think has a really high ceiling - as high as anyone I've worked with in my time here at Rangers. There's areas of his game that at 20 years old he certainly has to brush up on but that's why he's come on loan."
