Rangers are reportedly interested in signing River Plate striker and Alfredo Morelos’ international teammate Rafael Santos Borre.
That’s according to Football Insider, who claim the Gers have “concrete interest” in moving for the Colombia striker when his current deal expires in Argentina come the end of the month.
A 25-year-old forward who was once on the books of Atletico Madrid, there is no doubt that this corker makes up the transfer link of the summer so far.
But just how realistic are any Rangers links to the striker as the club line up quality additions ahead of Champions League qualification?
Well, by FI’s own admission Rangers will face stiff competition for the forward given his pre-contract status and 56 goals in 146 games for River Plate.
This could include La Liga Champions Atletico Madrid, who were linked with a return for the player only a month ago by TNT Sports.
Santos Borre – who spent two years in Spain between 2015 and 2017 but never played for Atleti – has some experience playing in Spain having spent a season on loan at Villarreal in 16/17.
The links also come at a particularly interesting juncture for Rangers, with previous claims regarding interest in Colombian footballers appearing in the press.
Rangers have been extensively linked to America de Cali winger Santiago Moreno in the press, with both Football Insider and the Telegraph reporting on the links.
The Ibrox side was also said to be closing in on a deal for teenage Colombian striker Juan Alegria in the press last year [Daily Record].
The FK Honka star is yet to officially sign a deal but talk of an Ibrox move for the 18-year-old forward has persisted.
On top of this, Rangers Sporting Director Ross Wilson is said to have attended a leading “speed dating” transfer summit this summer as he looks to build links with clubs across the globe.
Then there is the ongoing situation regarding Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, who is reportedly a target for Portuguese giants FC Porto.
The Colombian forward has extensively raised the profile of Rangers in the country but there remain questions marks about his immediate future at Ibrox.
Morelos netted a goal in both ties against Porto in the Europa League group stage of 19/20 and A Bola via Sport Witness believe the Colombian international is a genuine target of the club this summer.
From all of this, there are two things that certainly stick out regarding these Rangers links to Rafael Santos Borre.
The first is that if reports are to be believed Rangers are already extensively involved in transfer links and negotiations in Colombia and by proxy South America.
Secondly, should Ibrox striker Alfredo Morelos move on, a move for Santos Borre would both plug that gap and be cost-effective given the nature of his contract situation.
Unless of course wages become a stumbling block.
What’s more, at present Alfredo appears to be in front of the striker in the Colombian national team set-up, Santos Borre earning only four caps to Morelos’ eleven, even if Santos Borre has featured more heavily at this summer’s Copa America.
It would certainly prove an exciting move if the Gers can pull it off and would soften the blow of Alfredo’s exit.
But as for how likely it may be? It appears time will tell.
Here’s more on those Morelos links to Porto.
