Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed that he is planning to hand star striker Alfredo Morelos a new contract but that he could sell up on the condition that another club blew them ‘out the water’ with their offer.
The Colombian hitman, who arrived at Ibrox in the summer of 2017, has been linked away with a move to Bordeaux this summer, having previously been touted for a potential switch to China.
However, Gerrard insisted that the young forward was a big part of his plans and that he wanted to keep him on board with fresh terms, although admitted that a ‘massive, massive bid’ could tempt them to sell up.
He was quoted on the personal Twitter account of Press Association journalist Andy Newport as saying: “For me, I want him to stay. I want him to sign a new deal on improved terms and help us be successful moving forward. The message to Bordeaux is we don’t want to sell.
“If they want the player then they need to show some respect and come blow us out the water with a massive, massive bid. Otherwise don’t pick the phone up.”
we don't want to sell. If they want the player then they need to show some respect and come blow us out the water with a massive, massive bid. Otherwise don't pick the phone up.”
— Andy Newport (@AndyNewportDR) August 16, 2018
Opinion
Gerrard knows that if someone does choose to make a big money bid for his star man, then he will be on his way – that is just the way Rangers have to operate in their current circumstances. However, tying Morelos down to a new deal will definitely give the club even more bargaining power than they already have, and that could well ward off prospective buyers. What is not clear is whether the forward would actually be receptive to putting pen to paper – he seems settled at Ibrox, but would a new contract take away his chance of making a big money move to another European club? If he keeps up his goal scoring record, then clubs will pay the price for him – but if he falters, then he could well have missed the opportunity with Bordeaux. He could be reluctant to committing to terms which rule out a move any time soon.