Rangers have slapped a £20million price tag on Alfredo Morelos after he revealed plans to quit Ibrox this summer.
The Colombian striker dropped the bombshell during an interview on a radio station in his homeland last week that he expects to bring down the curtain on his two-year spell at the club at the end of the season.
Speaking during a Q&A at the ORSA convention in New Zealand, as cited by the Scottish Sun, Gers managing director Stewart Robertson explained the club value Morelos at the same price as Moussa Dembele, who was sold by Celtic for £20million to Lyon last August.
Robertson told fans: “We rate Morelos at least the same as Dembele in terms of value.”
Robertson’s response came after Morelos delivered an update on his future last week, in which he said: “There are many teams interested in me. Most likely my transfer will be this summer.
“I know my goalscoring record has been noticed by European clubs. Of course, I’d like to play in the Premier League.”
OPINION
Given that Morelos is 22, a full Colombia international and has 46 goals and 19 assists from 83 Rangers matches, it is understandable why the hierarchy value him the same as Dembele. The duo have broadly similar records in Scotland – the Frenchman scored 51 goals and provided 18 assists from 94 Celtic appearances before getting a big-money move back to his homeland. Dembele was 22 when he secured the move to Lyon and Celtic felt it was an offer they couldn’t refuse. Rangers are likely to feel exactly the same if a bid of anywhere near that value is tabled for their prize asset. Where Dembele has the edge is a sounder temperament and a record in marquee fixtures that demonstrated a clear appetite for the big stage. If Morelos can score the goals that, say, spearhead Rangers to the Scottish Cup this season, and continues to rip it up in the league, Rangers will have far more realistic hopes of a mega fee for the player.