Alfredo Morelos, almost since the first transfer window after he signed, has been the subject of transfer speculation. Links to China, Turkey, Italy, England and, most notably, Spain never seem to go away and, now that he is in the last six-months of his Rangers contract, they are only going to intensify.
It was claimed last week that Sevilla had agreed a pre-contract deal with the Colombian international, a move that would make a lot of sense even if he wouldn’t be the main man for the La Liga outfit, however, this rumour has been squashed, apparently by the player himself with Football Scotland reporting:
“Alfredo Morelos has informed Rangers that he has NOT signed a pre-contract with Sevilla or any other club, according to reports.
“Rumours from the Spanish media last week claimed that the Colombian striker had agreed a pre-contract deal with the Spanish giants and would make the move and the end of his current Ibrox contract in the summer. It comes as the 26-year-old fins himself watching on from the bench after Antonio Colak made the striking berth his own.
“However, it is now claimed that Morelos has moved to clear things up by informing his current employers that not only has he not signed anything, he hasn’t held discussions with another club. He would be free to do so under the Bosman ruling which allows players in the last six months of a deal to discuss terms with any interested party.”
I’d be surprised if something is announced before the end of the season, Michael Beale has already said that he wants more from Morelos before he hands him his starting jersey back and, if he does commit his future elsewhere, I’m not sure that he would be going out to prove a point to win it back.
His goal scoring record and performances in Europe will always ensure that there is a soft spot in the hearts of Rangers fans for him, even if at times his lack of discipline cost us. It’s easy to forget but, there was a two-year period when we could barely win without him such was his importance to the team.
It’s good that we have evolved, however, a fully fit and rampaging El Bufalo between now and the season would be a spectacular way to bow out, especially if his last appearance is lifting the Scottish Cup.