It’s the off season in Scotland, which usually means one thing: Alfredo Morelos is being linked with a move away from Rangers.
his time last year it was Lille amongst others and this time around it is Porto, who are supposedly ready to pay £15m for his services.
Of course, Morelos has a history with Porto, scoring for Rangers in both Europa League group games against the Portuguese back in 2019, so there’s an obvious link there.
Rangers, as a club, are facing a conundrum with Morelos with regards to when to sell him and how to get the best possible transfer fee for him. They will clearly want to maximise the return on a player who they spent just £1m on four years ago but at the same time don’t want to weaken the team or the squad at present.
With that in mind, and with Morelos having just two years left on his current contract at Ibrox, there are a couple of possibilities for the club to consider.
Rangers can offer and agree a new deal with Morelos, which as a club gives them more protection for a player who is only going to get better in the coming years with his resale value increasing. They will know from negotiations whether this is a distinct possibility or if his mind is made up to move on to pastures new and if the rumours are to be believed.
If that’s the case, and a new deal seems unlikely, then Rangers will likely have to sell in the next two transfer windows. That’s because Morelos then enters the final year of his contract and his valuation will diminish significantly.
Rangers will be fully aware of this and will likely have a plan one way or the other. They only need to look across the city to rivals Celtic and their Odsonne Edouard predicament. He is the club’s record signing, however he is now in his final year and the Hoops may not get the return on him that they would have done a year ago.
Stuart Robertson, the managing director at Rangers, said in December that the club needs to start clawing back some money from transfers and it will be a priority. That would make you think that one of the big names will depart in this summer transfer window to help the club balance the books.
The board have heavily backed Steven Gerrard in the transfer market but that will have been on the proviso that there is a return on that investment at some stage.
Rangers are currently in the driving seat with regards to Morelos and his valuation due to his contractual situation, so striking a deal at the right time will be crucial.
A lot of Rangers supporters may be slightly dismayed that the club could consider selling their cult hero ahead of the Champions League qualifiers beginning in August. Progressing into the group stage would be worth upwards of £30m, which could change the whole dynamic of the club’s finances and potential spending in the years to come.
However, there are no guarantees that progression with Morelos is a certainty so the Rangers board have to act in the best interests of the club as the custodians of it.
If an offer comes in that they feel is acceptable then they must have the mid to long-term interests of the club at heart and not just the emotional short-term.
As severe as it sounds, that’s where the business aspect comes into play; forget speculating to accumulate, they’ve been there before!
From the supporters’ perspective, Morelos has earned a special place in their hearts with his goals as well as everything that surrounds him. He’s not always been the blue-eyed boy on the pitch but he has united the support and he’s a player that won’t be forgotten quickly.
The thing about football clubs is players come and go, they pass through on their way to another project and after four years in Glasgow, Morelos has achieved a lot.
He’s won a league title, scored goals in Europe when it mattered and scored in an Old Firm game, eventually. His stock has risen and at just 25 years of age he may well see his long-term future away from Ibrox.
Considering what the club spent to bring him in and the return he will give them, it will prove a brilliant business decision when he does move on.
That’s the model both Old Firm clubs have to adopt. Buy potential, improve their all-round game and sell them on for a much more inflated price.
Rangers have invested in Joe Aribo and Glenn Kamara in a very similar way as they have with Morelos so it’s been a productive way for them to work. They have become more accomplished players with Rangers giving them the platform to improve and potentially make the next move in their career.
Players born outside Scotland don’t have an allegiance with either half of the Old Firm from a young age like the loyal supporters do and some see it as a stepping stone to greater things.
That doesn’t stop the likes of Morelos giving their all, building a rapport with the fans and leaving a mark. It’s fair to say Morelos has done that, along with Aribo and Kamara, and I’m sure, if or when the time comes, fans will wish them well.
In reality, though, it’s a set-up that works for both parties. The player gets to grow and improve while the club benefits from their performances and resale value.
In an ideal world, Gerrard would love to keep Morelos throughout their Champions League endeavours next season but clubs won’t wait around if they’re willing to cough up serious cash.
If, indeed, Porto is his destination they will want him in ASAP to integrate him into their set-up and style of play.
I’ve no doubt this Morelos story will rumble on and on but at some stage Rangers will have to make a firm decision on their talisman that may frustrate some supporters, but will be the best decision for the football club.
