Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has blasted striker Alfredo Morelos after he was pictured wearing an Everton shirt.
What is Alfredo Morelos’ future at Rangers?
Morelos has scored 122 goals in 262 appearances for Rangers in all competitions since signing from HJK Helsinki in 2017 but could be taking part in his sixth and final season for the Light Blues with his contact expiring at the end of the current season.
Gers boss Michael Beale previously stated that there was “no truth” in the rumour linking the striker to La Liga outfit Sevilla with Edinburgh News journalist Barry Anderson stating that Galatasaray have contacted his representatives.
Morelos has scored nine goals and produced six assists in 26 games this season with Rangers nine points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.
Back in December, Football Insider reported that Morelos demanded a wage of £45k-per-week to extend his stay at Rangers, a move that would make him the highest earner at the club. According to Salary Sport, Connor Goldson brings home the most in the squad with a wage of £37k-per-week.
Ferguson unhappy with Morelos
Speaking on Go Radio, Ferguson suggested that the 26-year-old should not have been wearing the shirt of the Premier League outfit.
He said:
“I got it sent through, one of my mates sent it to me. I think he was just playing football on a public pitch in an Everton strip.
“You’ve got to have a Rangers strip on, why have an Everton strip? I think Morelos will be playing elsewhere in the summer, I don’t think he will be staying at Rangers.”
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Alfredo Morelos spotted in EVERTON shirt as Rangers striker enjoys kickabout in Colombia
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— Football Scotland ????????? (@Football_Scot) March 25, 2023
Rangers should give Morelos a new contract
Unless Morelos was in a Celtic shirt, wearing the strip of another team should not be the deciding factor as to whether he should stay or go – especially when he has given so much to the club over the last six years.
Once dubbed as “lethal” by The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, the 11-cap international remains a useful asset to Beale’s squad, netting a goal every 128 minutes and averaging just less than a 7.0 rating, via Sofascore.
Still in his peak years, Rangers should take a risk and give into Morelos’ wage demands, with the forward still having enough time in his career to rise back to his €15m (£13m) market value that he peaked at back in 2019 and 2020, as per Transfermarkt.
Rejecting an €18m (£16.25m) bid from Lille in the summer of 2020 when he was at his best, Rangers cannot afford to lose him on a free transfer, especially because they will need to find a replacement and hope that they can adapt to the league.