Alfredo Morelos could join Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg after leaving Scottish Premiership giants Rangers almost two months ago.
The Colombian’s contract expired on July 1. And it is testament to how far his reputation has fallen since two difficult final seasons at Rangers that Alfredo Morelos remains a free agent heading into the final week of August.
In 45 games across 2022/23, Morelos only found the net 12 times.
He’ll need to improve upon those numbers if he is to be a success in his new home; a potential move to Zenit St Petersburg only piling further pressure upon a striker who may soon find himself leading the line for the perennial Russian champions.
Alfredo Morelos could move to Russia from Rangers
“The transfer of Morelos to Russia is still possible,” agent Martin Camano tells Sport24. “There is not only Zenit and Spartak showing interest in him, but also other Russian Premier League clubs.”
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“I am negotiating with several top clubs from Russia who are interested in Morelos,” the striker’s representative said a few days earlier. “There is a very strong championship here, which Alfredo looks at with great admiration.”
Rangers offset the departures of both Morelos and Antonio Colak by bringing in Danilo and Cyriel Dessers from Feyenoord and Cremonese respectively. And while both players have come in for criticism on Scottish soil, Danilo and Dessers did find the net in Saturday’s nervy 2-1 Scottish League Cup win over Greenock Morton.
“A rebuild was needed at Rangers. They have brought in a number of players,” Rangers legend Kris Boyd tells the Scottish Sun.
“Last season, they played virtually the whole season without a striker. Antonio Colak came in at the start but once he was injured, he fell away a bit. And Alfredo Morelos was nowhere near the required standard.
“That had a knock-on effect on the team. That front area needed addressing, and I think Beale has done that.”