Confusion has arisen following reports that Scottish club Rangers had their bid for Bayern Munich’s talented attacking midfielder Malik Tillman turned down. The rejection comes despite Rangers reportedly having an “exclusive option to buy” the 20-year-old USA international. Reputable German outlet Kicker revealed the news, leaving Rangers fans intrigued about the status of the potential deal.
According to Kicker, Bayern Munich rejected Rangers’ £5m (€6m) offer for Malik Tillman, dashing the Scottish club’s hopes of securing the young Bundesliga star. This bid marks the first official attempt by Rangers to secure a permanent deal for the player, who had previously won the PFA Scotland and Rangers Young Player of the Year awards.
The news of the rejected bid raises questions among Ibrox supporters. If Rangers had an exclusive option on Tillman, it would be logical to assume they could exercise it. However, Bayern’s rejection indicates that the option may hold little weight or has potentially expired. Malik Tillman himself alluded to this possibility, stating that the decision would ultimately be up to him.
When questioned about the potential interest from Rangers, Malik Tillman shared his thoughts on the matter, shedding light on the situation. He mentioned a conversation with Michael Beale who advised him to take his time and make a decision. Tillman also revealed that the option to buy extended until the beginning of June, allowing him ample time to consider his options.
Quoting Tillman, he said, “I’ve spoken to Michael Beale already and he said, ‘Just take your time. It’s your decision.’ That’s what I’m going to do. The option is until the beginning of June or something, so I still have three or four weeks to decide. I’m going to take my time because obviously it’s a big decision for me.”
Given that we are now well into June, it appears that Rangers may have missed the deadline to complete a deal or that Tillman took too long to make a decision with the Ibrox bid on the table. Coincidentally, the two individuals who approved the exclusive option last summer, Ross Wilson at Rangers and Hasan Salihamidzic of Bayern, have both departed their respective clubs. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
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Recent reports have linked Malik Tillman with a potential move to the Premier League, with claims that two clubs from the English top-flight have shown interest in the promising attacking midfielder. While the specific clubs remain undisclosed, these rumors suggest that Tillman’s talent has captured the attention of clubs beyond Scotland.
The rejection of Rangers’ bid for Malik Tillman, despite their exclusive option to buy, has left fans puzzled about the status of the potential deal. Tillman’s own words indicate that he holds the power to make the decision, but the passing of the deadline and key personnel changes at both clubs further complicate the situation. As the young talent garners interest from Premier League clubs, the future destination of Malik Tillman remains uncertain.