After Brentford suffered Championship Playoff heartbreak against Fulham, fans have also been rocked by the news that the 2-1 defeat activated an £18m release clause for star striker Ollie Watkins.
This is the figure Rangers reportedly value Alfredo Morelos at [Foot Mercato] and perhaps further evidence of the crazy transfer bubble down south.
Watkins, 24, is the same age as Morelos but both players have substantially different C.Vs.
The Brentford striker is reportedly interesting the likes of Crystal Palace [BBC Sport] to the tune of £18m but there is no arguing that Morelos is the more established striker.
Watkins broke through in football at Exeter City and up until this fantastic Brentford season, had never scored more than 10 goals in a season above English League Two.
Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has routinely banged in the goals – 77 to be precise – for one of the biggest clubs in football during one of their most tumultuous eras.
The striker has been a revelation in Scotland and season-on-season has improved, last year hitting an impressive 29 goals before the turn of the year.
Morelos was officially recognised by UEFA as the player with the most European goals before Christmas (14) and as the Gers prepare to do battle with Leverkusen he is the competition’s joint-top scorer since the group stage (6).
The striker has also established himself as a Colombian international – no mean feat given the depth of competition – and hopes to be the country’s number nine for many years to come.
There’s no doubt Ollie Watkins is a good player, but he’s had one major season and suddenly the BBC are reporting his £18m release clause and interest from Crystal Palace as if it’s a steal.
Look up north, and there are even Rangers fans who speak down Alfredo Morelos’ value to be less than a player who has never kicked a ball in top tier football.
Should Morelos move on for £18m, in today’s footballing climate, it’s an absolute bargain when players like Watkins – with a smidgen of his experience – are going for similar fees.
Rangers daren’t sell their prized asset for any less.
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