Out of the contracts that are set to expire in the summer, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos’s are, without a doubt, the two that are discussed most often, notably because we have rejected combined bids of over £25million for the pair – Leeds United and Lille respectively having confirmed offers turned down.
Even if the long-term plan isn’t for the pair to form part of Michael Beale’s project, protecting their value and getting some sort of transfer fee in for them only helps to make adjustments to the squad in the future if they were to be sold.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the pair, Beale has revealed that he would like to keep the pair but that nobody is bigger than the club:
“I think that’s ongoing, certainly I think I’ll get to have an opinion on that. I’ve known Ryan and his family since he was 14, so that’s a trust that has been built up over a period of ten years.
“I think they are capable of more than they are showing right now, that’s fair to say and they will have their reasons for that but I trust both players.
“We want to create a stronger Rangers moving forward, with or without those players, ideally, with them.”
As soon as Beale was announced as manager the odds of Kent agreeing to a new contract immediately shortened. As the new gaffer touches on, he has known Kent for a long time and that will have a big influence on the winger’s decision-making.
For Morelos, it is a little more complicated because he will have an offer on the table that will probably see him retain his status as one of the highest earners, however, his current output just doesn’t merit that.
Both of them would still be valuable assets and squad members if they signed extensions so it makes sense for us to try and persuade them to stay but Beale is right, either way, we need to get stronger and if it is without them, then so be it.