According to the reports from French newspaper L’Equipe, Rangers have tabled a bid of £9m for Senegalese striker Moussa Konate. The forward currently plies his trade for Ligue 1 outfit Amiens. Konate is under contract with the French outfit until 2021, but Rangers seem ready to test Amines’ resolve to keep hold of their striker.
Gerrard on a new striker
Gerrard had recently said that there had been a debate about getting a third striker. The manager said a few weeks back, ”We are going to need both (Morelos and Defoe) of them firing if we are to have any ambitions of moving forward. There is also a debate that we may need to get a third striker, even though we have other options who can play there.”
It’s clear that the club has been contemplating about bringing in a new forward and that player could very much be Konate. However, the price tag of the striker looks to be excessive, and it remains to be seen whether the latest reports from France are accurate or not.
Do Rangers need a striker?
Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos are top options, and both have started their season well. However, an injury to either one of them could add severe pressure on Gerrard. Morelos anyway will remain a candidate for suspension, so the former Liverpool man needs to be mindful about having another striker at the club.
We think that any big-money move for a striker would likely depend on Morelos’s future. We don’t believe that Rangers will go ahead and spend £9m if the Colombian striker stays at the club this summer. If Rangers are looking for a third striker, then they are likely to go for a more budget-friendly option.
What will Konate bring to the table?
The 26-year-old has been linked with Burnley and West Ham United in the past. Konate managed seven goals and two assists in 21 league starts last season. The striker was also part of the Senegal squad which reached the Africa Nation Cup finals.
Konate is known for his impressive pace and acceleration, and he can battle on the physical front as well. He is also capable of putting in a good shift, and he will undoubtedly be an impressive signing for Rangers. However, the Senegal international is too good to be a backup forward at the moment as he is currently at the peak of his career. In our opinion, he is only likely to move to Scotland if someone like Morelos departs from Rangers.
