The fee Brighton will seek to permanently sell Abdallah Sima could be too big a 'stumbling block' for Rangers.

That's the viewpoint of former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton.

The ex-Gers and Scotland right back would love to see the Senegalese forward stay put in Glasgow for the long term.

The 22-year-old has been a fine addition to the Rangers squad this season. He joined on loan from Brighton in the summer and has scored 15 goals to date.

Yesterday's fantastic strike against Kilmarnock could be his last for a while though, with Sima now away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.

He endured a slow start to life at Rangers, but he's proven himself to be one of Michael Beale's top signings, alongside Jack Butland. 

The Ibrox side, now led by Philippe Clement, are believed to be interested in making the temporary deal a permanent one in the summer if the finances are right. It's believed their asking price could be around £8m.

Hutton pointed to the example of Ryan Kent as a time when Rangers have paid that kind of money. 

However, the 39-year-old was keen to stress that was a rarity in the modern-day era of the club.

He told Football Insider: “I think if the price is right, they’ll get him. I’ll be very surprised if Rangers pay between £10-15million on one player. I can’t see that happening, only if they get him for a price that they’re happy with.

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“We’ve seen them spend huge fees in the past like when they paid £7million for Ryan Kent. These types of fees they have done sometimes, but anything above that I can’t see.

“I’m looking at Kevin van Veen, Lawrence Shankland – I don’t think they’re going to cost anywhere near that.

“Me personally, I want to see Sima stay. We’re starting to see the best of him. We know he can score goals, but that fee is a big stumbling block.”