According to a recent report by French source Foot Mercato, Serie A side Fiorentina are said to have placed Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos at the top of their summer transfer wish-list. The report suggests that La Viola are keen on the Colombian forward, but they will need to sell and generate funds before taking things to the next level.
The Ibrox club have named a price-tag of €20m for the attacker’s signature, and the financial commitment could come as the biggest stumbling block for Fiorentina on this matter.
Although the report has clarified that Fiorentina are interested in Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, whether or not Gerrard is willing to let him depart remains to be seen. The Colombian was initially on the radar of Ligue 1 side Lille, but the French outfit seemed to drop their interest after acquiring the signature of Jonathan David. Despite having a contractual agreement in place with Lille, the move broke down in the final stages, and it has now forced Morelos to remain at the Ibrox for the time being at least.
What Is Alfredo Morelos’ Legacy At The Ibrox?
The Colombian striker was brought in from Finnish club HJK Helsinki as a largely unknown quantity. Despite not breaking into the team immediately, the impact that Morelos has had on the team cannot be underplayed. He quickly became the first-choice striker under Steven Gerrard, often seen scoring goals for fun with his amazing finishing skills and predatory instincts in the final third. Taking Morelos’ presence out of this side would’ve left Rangers in an extremely sensitive situation, with the attacker almost singlehandedly keeping them in the mix over the last couple of league campaigns.
The 24-year-old has been a Rangers player for over three years now, and it’s safe to say that he is a fan-favourite at the Ibrox. Since the move Morelos has earned several caps for Colombia, all the while delivering the goods consistently for Rangers. Not only has the attacker scored 18 times for the Ibrox club in Europe over the years, but his contributions in regular league play cannot be counted out either. With a little under 150 Rangers appearances already under his belt, the forward has notched up a stellar return of 79 goals and 31 assists.
Averaging at least one goal contribution every other time he steps onto the pitch, Morelos’ capability need not be questioned at all. Despite all he has done for the club though, there is still a section of the fans that are unconvinced by his quality. The current league campaign has been an indicator of the fact, as Steven Gerrard even came out and stated that Morelos didn’t look right in training. Having scored twice and set up a further two in four league outings so far this season, letting Morelos leave would surely leave a hole in Gerrard’s roster.
Fiorentina Are Interested In Rangers Striker Alfredo Morelos: Should Gerrard Cash In?
Morelos’ importance to this Rangers setup cannot be underplayed. Despite his raging temper, the Colombian has guided the Ibrox club through a flurry of difficult fixtures. With Jermain Defoe, Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe all now available as alternatives to Morelos, it could finally be the right time for Rangers to sell. If the striker isn’t training right and giving his 100 per cent to the team every week, then keeping him in the side could have disastrous results. If their €20m asking price is met by La Viola, then Gerrard shouldn’t think twice about letting Morelos leave this summer.
