Rangers’ ability to keep Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos would send a real message out to the rest of the Scottish Premiership.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the Ibrox club’s potential transfer business during the remainder of the transfer window.
Fans of last season’s Europa League runners-up have been desperate for the club to tie Morelos down to a new deal, in order to prevent the striker from leaving the club in the near future.
According to Salary Sport, Morelos’ contract is due to expire next summer, which would mean that the 26-year-old could leave the club for free next year.
But the Glasgow Times have reported that the 11-time Colombia international is now close to agreeing a deal with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.
And O’Rourke believes that if Rangers were able to keep hold of the £11.7m-rated striker, it would send a message out to the rest of the Premiership that Rangers mean business.
“Keeping Morelos shows that the club are going in the right direction and that they are looking to build on their success last season from reaching the Europa League Final.
“It would send a real warning to Celtic and the rest of the Scottish Premiership that the Rangers are keeping hold of their best players and planning to build for the future.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments
We believe that Rangers fans will agree with O’Rourke in the sense that the club would be in a much stronger position to compete at the top with Morelos at the club, rather than without him.
The Rangers star scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 42 appearances last season according to Transfermarkt, suggesting that he is a crucial part of van Bronckhorst’s side’s attacking output.
And we agree with O’Rourke and believe that the Glasgow giants will be in a much stronger position to challenge Celtic next season, if their star Colombian signs on the dotted line and stays at the club this season.
This is hilarious!
For the past five or six seasons, ever since they signed him in fact, they have tried everything they possibly can think of to get rid of him.
They have dreamt up ficticious “interest” by unnamed clubs throughout the globe!
They have spoken of colossal “mystery” bids without once having a single enquiry about the wee chubby guy!
The never ending reverse psychology tricks aren’t working!
It’s obvious they now feel if they make a big fanfare in this latest stunt, singing from the rooftops that they have gone all out to “tie him down”, it could attract interest and maybe they can “demand” some transfer money for him.
Aftet all, he’d be under contract!
Another nice try, but nobody wants him! Why would they when his own club have been try to get rid of him for years?
Getting on, fat and injury prone. He is not fit enough and no one wants him. He will screw them for 30-40 grand a week and will be shattered and subbed off after 50 minutes if he starts. Might score a couple coming on as a sub but 6 months out for a guy with diet and weight issues is not going to make him better. Times up fatty. Championship beckons.