Replacing a player who has scored 94 goals and has 43 assists in 182 games is not going to be easy, especially one who is as loved by the fans as Alfredo Morelos.
Not that I’m wanting to chase him out the door but there is every possibility that the Rangers striker could be tempted to move this summer especially with a club like Porto chasing his signature.
Rangers are well equipped up front having invested in Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten last season, with Fashion Sakala also set to arrive but this hasn’t stopped speculation linking us with several strikers already, here, we take a look at the best and most likely to replace the enigmatic Colombian.
Josh Maja
The 22-year old Bordeaux forward topped the list last season and was rumoured to be the first choice to replace Morelos when he was the subject of big money bids from Lille, with his club now suffering severe financial difficulties, he could be secured for a lot less than the £9million option-to-buy that Fulham missed out on with their relegation from the Premier League – even at that price he would be worth the money.
Jonson Clarke-Harris
Peterborough United seem to have made a habit of finding strikers who can score them 30-goals a season with Clarke-Harris being largely responsible for firing his team to the Championship, at 26 he is the oldest of the players we are keeping an eye on, he would also come with a hefty price tag given his contract status and importance to the club.
Santos Borre
One right out of left field, the former Atletico Madrid striker is approaching the last few days of his contract at River Plate and his record of a goal or assist every two games in Argentina will make him a wanted man, even if his wage demands of £40,000 per week and a £4m signing on fee are accurate.
The best player on paper is Borre, he has experience in La Liga as well as playing for the Colombian national team, however, given that Maja is only 22 and played most of his football in Britain, if Ross Wilson could negotiate a fee for him around the £5m mark we would have ourselves a bargain.
It would be sad seeing such a popular player leave but if we can replace him with someone just as good – or better – and make a significant profit, it’s a deal that makes perfect sense.