Alfredo Morelos has been a scoring sensation since arriving in Glasgow in the summer of 2017.

The Colombian has improved as an all round striker, especially since manager Steven Gerrard took over at Ibrox last summer.

The young hitman has been linked with moves to China and to French club Bordeaux in recent transfer windows but The Gers have so far resisted and not sold their star forward.

According to The Scottish Sun, Alfredo believes his stint at Rangers could be nearing an end during the next transfer window:

“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 amount 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.”

Recent media reports suggest that former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers could be tempted to bring Morelos down south with him to Leicester City.

With heighten speculation linking The Gers striker with a big summer move, it seems as though Rangers have now put a price on their top asset’s head.

Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson allegedly told a Gers fan event in New Zealand (Source – Daily Record):

“We rate (Alfredo) Morelos at least the same as (Moussa) Dembele in terms of value.”

Now French attacker Moussa Dembele left Scottish Premiership champions Celtic last summer for a fee in the region of £18m-£20m.

Personally, I think that might be a tad unrealistic for Morelos.

I know that the two strikers have similar scoring records. Alfredo has actually scored more in Scotland’s top flight (30 goals/59 games) than Moussa (26 goals/55 games) managed. But Dembele edges it when it comes to goals in all competitions.

Yes they are both twenty-two years old and are both fine finishers but for me Dembele had a better pedigree before leaving Scotland.

He had previously shone in England’s Championship, he is faster than Morelos and importantly he won titles at Celtic Park. Dembele was also a better finisher in the big games; he would score in Old Firm derbies, he scored in the Champions League and scored in cup finals.

Morelos has one international cap for Colombia, which is more than Dembele’s managed for World Cup champions France but Moussa has a fantastic scoring tally at under-21 level and is knocking on Didier Deschamps door to get a senior call-up for Les Bleus after successfully transitioning to Ligue 1 with Lyon this term.

I’m not sure Morelos’ perceived temperament issues will count in his favour either. I doubt that his card will be as marked in another league as it has been in Scotland but scouts will still look at the amount of cards he’s picked up and worry about him being a risk.

Listen I think Alfredo Morelos is a superb talent and I’ve been banging on about him ever since he arrived at Rangers. I also think that the Ibrox side will get good money for him.

Will it be £18m or higher?

I just don’t think so. Clubs in higher leagues still treat the Scottish market like it’s more Home Bargains than Waitrose and I think they’ll look to get Morelos for a £12m fee, maybe £15m if there’s a a fair bit of interest.

The right circumstances all fell into place for Moussa Dembele’s move to Lyon, will lightening really strike twice in as many years in Scotland?

 

Posted on March 5th, 2019 by scott
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