If Rangers receive their valuation for Alfredo Morelos this summer then there is every chance that the enigmatic Colombian will depart these shores – albeit as a hero and with the fans blessing.
We have already seen speculation linking us with a potential replacement in the shape of Peterborough United’s Jonson Clarke-Harris but it is in France where there could be a bargain or two to be had.
Rory Smith of the New York Times has laid bare the financial difficulties facing Lille OSC and, despite their 1-0 win over PSG at the weekend to put them top of Ligue 1, there will still need to be a fire sale in the summer to fend off pressure from creditors.
Their best players may be out of our own financial reach, however, there is one player who is in our price range and is no stranger to life in Glasgow and what it is like to be part of the Old Firm goldfish bowl.
Timothy Weah has yet to fully reach his potential and, despite only being 21-years old, seems to have been around for ages but currently has to be content with a place on the bench most weeks, he has played 34 times this season registering only 1200 minutes in total, scoring five goals in the process.
Vital Rangers Player of the Year 2020/21
Allan McGregor
Connor Goldson
James Tavernier
Steven Davis
Currently valued at £6.75million he is well within our budget, particularly if Morelos is sold, and although he didn’t set the world alight at Parkhead, he was playing second fiddle to Odsonne Edouard for all of his six-month spell. Lille paid PSG £9million in 2019 for the USA international but we have seen all too well how the value of players can drop when other teams know that you have money troubles.
With regular football there is no reason why Weah couldn’t reach his full potential and turn a sizeable profit, scoring a few goals in the process, it’s going to be an interesting summer transfer window and with Michael Beale hinting at “next level” signings it is players like the Lille striker that we should be targeting.