Rangers star’s reported admirers prepare £28m striker move – report

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Reportedly long-term Premier League admirers of Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, Aston Villa, have opted to splash the cash elsewhere, according to reports.

Aston Villa are reportedly set to smash their transfer record with a £28m move for Brentford striker Ollie Watkins in an eye-watering move [Guardian].

The reported transfer also comes after another of Morelos’ reported Premier League suitors Newcastle United splashed out £20m to bring Callum Wilson to Tyneside.

Villa have been routinely linked to Morelos over the last 18 months, most recently being mentioned alongside the striker in May.

Villa boss Dean Smith also answered questions about the striker last season after Morelos hit the opener against Porto in Rangers’ 2-0 Europa League win at Ibrox in November.

Given Watkins’ lack of experience of top-level football if anything the transfer proves that Rangers are right to stick to their guns concerning Colombian international Morelos.

Rangers reportedly rejected a bid of just over £16m from French side Lille – later confirmed by their president – and are holding out for closer to £20m.

At 24, Watkins is the same age as Morelos but both players have considerably different C.Vs.

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 (79) for one of the biggest clubs in football during a time of struggle at Ibrox.

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).

Should any club make their interest official – including latest reported suitors Fiorentina – the transfers of Watkins and Wilson prove the club need to stick to their guns over an asking price.