Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos is at the heart of a transfer hunt from Ligue 1 side OGC Nice as they look to replace the outgoing Mario Balotelli this month, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Colombian hitman has been identified as the ideal replacement for the Italian forward and that the south coast French outfit are readying a bid of £8million imminently.
It is said that Rangers value Morelos, who has scored 20 goals already this season, at £10million and that Steven Gerrard is adamant that he will not be leaving Ibrox this month.
Good move for Rangers?
Not in the slightest – although Jermaine Defoe’s arrival might play some part in whether he stays or goes.
Morelos is perhaps the best striker in Scotland right now and to let him go would be a huge blow to Rangers’ hopes of securing the Premiership title at the end of the season.
His impressive record is no doubt going to have plenty of suitors on his tail but the Gers seem certain he is not going anywhere, even if that £8million is tempting.
They need to stick to their valuation though, even perhaps pushing it up a couple of million, for he is quite nearly priceless for Gerrard and the Light Blues right now.
This is Futbol rating: 2/10
Likely to happen?
Rangers have made their stance on a Morelos exit very clear and it does not seem likely they are going to be swayed by £8million.
It could be an opening salvo from Nice before they get into negotiations and raise their price but right now it does not look like he is going anywhere.
Money talks and the French outfit will be hoping to find a valuation that Rangers are happy to accept – so how determined are those at Ibrox to keep him?
This is Futbol rating: 3/10