Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos is hot property in Portugal as the player’s agent reportedly jets in to discuss a potential transfer to FC Porto and the Estádio do Dragão.
But whilst Michael Gorman may be able to deliberate on personal terms for one of the Ibrox club’s biggest assets, there’s one thing that clear from camp Rangers.
Morelos – open to the concept of leaving he may be – will not exit for under his market value as Rangers seek to set a precedent in a new era of player trading at Ibrox.
The club was clear at the last AGM that buying low and selling high had to form one of the foundations of the club’s business strategy.
Colombian forward Morelos – who is currently at the Copa America with his country – represents Rangers’ most potent and well-publicised asset.
A unique forward with the ability to bully defenders, there is still room for El Bufalo to grow and he’d be an asset to any squad around Europe.
However, when it comes to getting the fees you want for players – something Porto do very well themselves – having a proven track record of producing talent can make negotiations much easier.
As it stands Rangers are yet to make a substantial return of any of their stars since climbing back up the Scottish footballing pyramid and into the modern footballing era.
Josh Windass – who joined Wigan for a lowly £2.5m – stands as the biggest outgoing since 2012 but there’s a growing sentiment that this will be broken in the coming months.
Talk of Rangers rejecting a bid little over £6m from Caligari is insulting, reports suggesting Porto are unhappy with the notion of paying £10m perhaps more so.
Last season Rangers rejected a reported £16m bid for the striker from eventual French champions Lille last summer with all the talk back then about Morelos being valued at £20m [Daily Mail].
This may well prove too steep now and Rangers might have to dial these demands back a touch, but anyone serious about signing Morelos can expecting to be paying £15m at the very least.
With eyes reportedly on Borna Barisic, Glen Kamara and Ryan Kent, Rangers have a responsibility for the preservation of their current assets to stick to their guns and hold out for a fair deal.
Whilst Morelos’ immediate future at Rangers remains uncertain, a leading journalist is claiming that one man touted to replace him is set to move elsewhere.
