06 August 2023 , 21:47
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Bayern Munich wonderkid Malik Tillman looks set to join an international teammate at PSV Eindhoven on loan following his success at Rangers last season.
The four-time USMNT international had something of a breakout season at Ibrox last term, with his ten goals in 28 league appearances earning him widespread plaudits. The starlet was named the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year following his sterling performances but it appears the Gers' hopes of retaining his services have been dashed.
The 21-year-old excelled at the heart of Michael Beale's midfield and the club's head coach made no secret of his desire to keep the emerging star in Glasgow. Speaking last season, Steven Gerrard's former right-hand man was open about his admiration for the playmaker, while admitting that it was far from certain that he would extend his stay in Scotland.
He said: "Well, that money in the rest of football is pocket-change for someone of his talent. In Scotland, it’s not. The biggest thing with any player is, do they want to be there? Are they really motivated to be there? Because then you get the best of them.
"And I don’t think if you’re a young 20 year old coming over from Germany for your first loan you can really know and summarise everything until the end of the season. So it’s not the case that I’ve been putting a gun to his head in January, February or March."
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The club initially had an option to make the loanee's deal permanent for a fee of £5.8m, which would have entitled his parent club a buy-back option in the region of £9m. However, the Bundesliga champions took the decision to essentially buy out this agreement, which Rangers Review reported has entitled the SPL club to receive compensation of £1 million, alongside a future sell-on percentage.
Now, it would seem that the prodigy is set to be on the move again, with a move to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven now in the works. According to Kerry Hau for the German media outlet Sport1, the American youngster has decided to move to the Eredivisie, with the player likely to be a direct replacement for Xavi Simons.
Michael Beale will not coach Malik Tillman at Ibrox next season as he looks likely to move elsewhere on loan (Ian Tuttle/REX/Shutterstock)The latter was excellent for Boeren last year - scoring 19 times in 34 league appearances - and his former club Paris Saint-Germain swooped in to re-sign the player after one season away from Parc des Princes. The clubs are looking to tie up an agreement over a loan deal for Tillman, which will either include an option or obligation to buy the midfielder.
He would join his compatriot Ricardo Pepi at The Philips Stadion, with the Texas forward having already completed a permanent switch to the Netherlands earlier this summer. The 20-year-old American struggled at Augsburg but impressed while on loan at Groningen last term - notching 12 league strikes - enough to convince the Eredivisie giants to pounce.
PSV finished second in Eredivisie last season but trailed eventual winners Feyenoord by some even points in the final standings. They are due to play Sturm Graz in a qualifier as they chase a place in the Champions League group stage.