According to a recent report in the print edition of today’s Daily Mail, as has been clarified by the BBC, Premiership giants Rangers are said to have rejected Ligue 1 side Lille’s latest bid for the services of their prolific Colombian hit-man Alfredo Morelos. The report suggests that the Gers have declined the French side’s £16.25m proposal to try and sign Morelos and that Lille’s interest in the player is gradually beginning to dwindle. A further report by Sky Sports has produced even more cause for concern after suggesting that Lille are close to a deal with Gent for the signature of striker Jonathan David.
Although the report has clarified that Rangers have rejected Lille’s latest bid for Alfredo Morelos, the Ligue 1 side could still come back with an improved offer in the coming days. Sky Sports though, claims that the French team have already reached an agreement with Belgian outfit Gent over the £27m purchase of prolific striker Jonathan David. While it must be conceded that Lille could still move for two strikers after making a humongous profit on the sale of Victor Osimhen, the signing of Morelos is now looking that much unlikelier.
What Is Rangers Current Situation In Attack?
Since Steven Gerrard took over at the helm of this historic Scottish football club, things have certainly been on the up around the Ibrox stadium. For all the tactical changes that the gaffer made, it must be conceded that he wasn’t helped out too much by the club in the transfer market over the last couple of windows. This time around though, the Glasgow club seems to have drawn up a very different sort of game-plan for the summer. Not only did they complete the permanent purchase of Romanian starlet Ianis Hagi, but they went on to make further additions as well.
The recent arrivals of Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe have come as extremely positive news for the Rangers faithful, as the pair of them have what it takes to help the Bears challenge Celtic all the way to the title this season. While Itten is a promising young target-man who promotes a more direct playing style, it could be argued that Roofe is a more level-headed upgrade on their current striking number one, Alfredo Morelos.
With Jermain Defoe set to enter the mix as well, if Morelos does end up staying past this summer, then Gerrard will not have an easy time with his team selection for the rest of the season.
How Has Morelos Made A Name For Himself At The Ibrox?
The Colombian arrived from HJK Helsinki as a largely unknown quantity a few years ago, and since the switch, he has gone on to become an absolute fan-favourite at the Ibrox Stadium. While his raging temperament has been an issue on multiple occasions, the attacker’s ability to pick up dangerous positions and finish off chances helped him quickly win the hearts of the Gers’ faithful. The 24-year-old’s career stats for Rangers read 77 goals and 30 assists from a little under 150 appearances, thereby highlighting the sheer importance that the Colombian commands in the Rangers squad.
Rangers Have Rejected Lille’s Latest Bid For Alfredo Morelos: Will He Have A Place In The Team This Season?
Whether or not the Colombian actually ends up leaving remains to be seen, but one thing that can be said with confidence is that his playing time is going to decrease. Over the last couple of seasons, there have been multiple instances where Morelos has remained on the pitch only because of Gerrard’s lack of a solid Plan-B to fall back onto.
With Itten and Roofe now available as options, the Gers’ dependence on the former Helsinki man is sure to decrease. Given the moves that they’ve made, it could be in the player’s best interest to try and find a move away, as his regular striking spot in Gerrard’s team is now well and truly up in the air.
