English Premier League Aston Villa ruffled a few feathers up north when manager Dean Smith was discussing the future of Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.
Following fairly innocuous links to the Colombian striker [Football Insider], Smith was asked about any potential interest in Rangers’ 28-goal talisman.
But after telling reporters to “watch this space” [Scottish Sun] and praising the striker’s performance in the 2-0 win against Porto [Birmingham Mail] in the Europa League, Smith appears to have got Rangers’ message on Morelos loud and clear.
The newly-promoted Premier League side was in the hunt for a forward after an injury to £22m summer signing Wesley.
Rangers had warned potential suitors off a move to Morelos and now Villa have shelled out a reported £10m for Gent striker Mbwana Sammata.
The move appeared to be on the cards a few weeks ago [BBC Sport] and now the Tanzania striker will officially join up with the Villains as they hope to stave off relegation.
Rangers were adamant Morelos would not be sold in this window, with Dave King even suggesting £40m wouldn’t be enough to tempt the Ibrox club [Scottish Sun].
On top of that, when Morelos is sold Rangers are adamant it will be for top dollar and with the striker contracted to Rangers until 2023, that will remain the case in the summer.
Villa – who might’ve had a low-level interest in the striker – appear to have got that message loud and clear after moving for Mbwana Sammata to the tune of £10m.
There’s no way Rangers would let the striker go for that kind of money.
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