Slavia Prague striker Abdallah Sima is a ‘superstar’ and a target for both Arsenal and Barcelona, Dusan Vrto told the Talking Fitbaw podcast ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Rangers.
While confidence may be sky high at Ibrox, absolutely no one will be taking Slavia lightly.
The reigning Czech champions triumphed 2-0 away from home at Leicester City in the last round and are currently 11 points ahead of city rivals Sparta – the team who scored eight goals past Celtic in the group-stages – back home in the domestic league.
In young Sima, Slavia have one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe leading the line.
The Senegal international scored his 19th goal of the campaign at the King Power – rifling home from long range to set up a last-16 clash with the newly-crowned Scottish Premiership champions.
“Slavia’s best player is Sima,” said Vrto, a former Dundee United defender who spent much of his career in the Czech Republic.
“10 months ago he was playing in the third league in the Czech Republic for FC Mas Taborsko. They played some friendly games against Slavia Prague and he played very well.
“Slavia said, ok we’ll take you to the third league to the B team of Slavia Prague. After a few games they took him to the first team squad and now he’s a superstar.
“Teams like Arsenal are interested in him, Barcelona also are interested, he’s a very, very talented player.”
Calciomercato reported a few weeks ago that Arsenal and Juventus are tracking the 19-year-old speed-machine, a prolific attacker who idolises fellow Senegal international Sadio Mane.
This is the first time, however, that we have seen Barcelona mentioned as a potential destination for Sima.
Speaking to iSport last week, Slavia president Jaroslaw Tvrdik admitted that Sima is free to leave in the summer. But only if the Czech giants receive an offer in excess of £20 million.
Slavia are expected to demand around £25 million.
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