Former Rangers full-back, Alan Hutton, feels that Ross Wilson could face a battle to keep a hold of Alfredo Morelos, even if they don’t receive a bid near to their valuation.
Speaking to Football Insider, the retired right-back turned pundit hopes that his old side doesn’t have to cash-in on the Colombian because of the current financial difficulties facing every club in football.
So what has Hutton said?
When asked about Wilson’s claims that a downturn in the market could see Morelos stay beyond the next transfer window, he said:
“Obviously he’s one of Rangers’ top assets, they’re not going to want to let him go on the cheap even though some clubs will be able to think they can get a better deal at the moment.
“If Rangers stick to their guns and stand by their price that they value Morelos at, well, he could possibly stay but I think it’s still going to be difficult.
“If you’ve got the top-ish teams in the Premier League coming in for Morelos, you’d maybe think his head may be turned and look for the transfer.
“We’re going to have to wait and see. There’s no clue how this is going to impact all the different clubs. It’s a difficult time for everyone and I hope Rangers don’t try and take a cut price because he’s obviously worth a lot of money. He’s a top asset and a top player.”
So is Hutton correct?
In reality, nobody knows what shape the transfer market will take over the coming months and although Morelos looks as though he was on his way out of Ibrox, if the club doesn’t receive the money that they want then they have no reason to sell him.
With a new kit and merchandising deal soon to be announced and with Mike Ashley out of the way, it has been a timely boost to resources which should negate the need for a fire sale.
Several first-team squad members are also approaching the end of their deals and it may be that Steven Gerrard goes with some of the promising youngsters he has at his disposal to fill the squad rather than potentially expensive fringe players that don’t contribute anything.
The Premier League in the last 10-20 years has often bucked the trend with regards to finances, being in a bubble of it’s own, but much will depend on the TV companies and their ability to pay the huge contracts that they have in place, if they can, £20million for Morelos will still be small change for even the smallest of English clubs in the top flight.