Jean-Phillipe Krasso might not be a name that Rangers fans are familiar with but he should be above Josh Maja on any shopping list.
When Alfredo Morelos was first linked with a £16.25m move to Lille, the former Sunderland striker’s name was the one that appeared to be at the top of Ross Wilson’s shopping list.
Josh Maja has been linked again in recent weeks and his status as a potential free transfer, sees him as an attractive option.
With 14 goals and five assists in 34 appearances, Maja has had a good season, however, Jean-Phillipe Krasso at St Etienne has had an even better one and Rangers should be ready to make a move, if they haven’t already.
The Ivory Coast international has 16 goals and nine assists in 29 appearances at a much better strike rate per minute.
Why should Rangers target Jean-Phillipe Krasso over Josh Maja?
Analyst Patrick Caskie who has contributed scouting reports for The Rangers Review, compared the two would-be Gers number nines and there is a clear winner between the two Africans.
Krasso comes out on top in every metric apart from aerial duels and even then it is only marginal.
At 6ft 2inches tall, 25-year old Krasso is more than useful in the air.
Better than this, for a team that dominates possession and requires their striker to be comfortable anywhere across the forward line, Krasso is also a competent ball carrier.
Compared to Maja, Krasso wins more battles at both ends of the park and is a high achiever when dribbling and making progressive runs.
In short, he is an Alfredo Morelos replacement and more.
If the Colombian is El Bufalo, Jean-Phillipe Krasso is simply a colussus of a striker and won’t be short of offers but Rangers should be banging his door down.
Domestically, we need a striker who will score goals and handle themselves physically. On the continent, they have to be more dynamic and bring others into play.
And it gets better.
Krasso is available on a free transfer and meets the criteria that Michael Beale mentioned in January when he hinted about a forward that he had his eye on for the summer who wasn’t available during the last window.
St Etienne, unlike Bordeaux, don’t have any chance of promotion either so the big Ivorian will be moving on, although, he is yet to officially make a decision on his future.
When money will be tight and a rebuild is required, a proven number nine on a free would be a great start and Krasso is as good as they come.
