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Rangers hitman Alfredo Morelos has told Colombian radio station ‘W Radio’ that he is expecting to leave the club in the summer, following a stunning campaign so far which will surely attract a whole barrage of interest.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Colombian international has enjoyed a scintillating season, scoring 26 goals across all competitions for Steven Gerrard’s side.
The 22-year-old’s form has been hard to ignore, and one would assume that the Gers will struggle to keep hold of him for much longer.
However, Morelos has surprisingly fuelled speculation regarding a possible exit on his own behalf, telling ‘W Radio’ (quotes via the Scottish Sun): “There are many teams interested in me and a lot of them have watched me play.
“Most likely my transfer will be this summer.
“With the number of goals I have scored, I know it has been noticed by European clubs.
“I have always said I would like to play in the English Premier League.”
Where does this leave Rangers?
“Most likely my transfer will be this summer” – This sentence in particular is certainly one that Rangers fans were dreading.
Morelos’ revelation, coupled with Brendan Rodgers’ departure for Leicester despite being midway through a charge for the treble with Celtic, proves that some of Scottish football’s leading figures don’t feel that they can fulfil their ambitions in that part of the world.
Similarly to Moussa Dembele’s exit from the Bhoys, Scottish clubs can only really pick up young prospects in the hope that they come good, before being left powerless when they want to leave – Dembele was signed after leaving Fulham, before joining Lyon for almost £20m.
So, if Morelos does leave, Gerrard will have to start scouting for the next young star of Scottish football, or go searching for a player in the twilight of his career like he did when he brought Jermain Defoe to the club in January.
Signing a replacement for a player who is finding the back of the net every week – when he isn’t suspended that is – will be an extremely tough job.
Having said that, whoever the Gers bring to Ibrox to replace the South American marksman may find themselves in the same situation as Morelos a few years down the line – Gerrard has to ensure he reinvests any potential cash raised from the striker’s exit shrewdly, and slowly make Rangers an attractive proposition that will be able to keep their star players in future.
