Rangers fans excited about a potential January move for Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate have just had their expectations tempered by some injury news.
The midfielder sustained a syndesmotic ligament tear – or a high ankle sprain to you and I – whilst out on loan at Standard Liege in Belgium.
Now back with Brighton getting treatment for the injury issue, there’s a joke to be made somewhere about Rangers’ awful habit of signing crocks.
No harm to Steven Alazate, but with injury problems aplenty at Ibrox the news that he’s nursing such an issue will raise a few nerves in the support.
Rangers have seen several first-teamers in the squad miss the bulk of the season through injury, with Ben Davies, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Tom Lawrence, Danilo and Kemar Roofe still on the treatment table at the time of writing.
It’s no wonder so many are cracking jokes – if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.
Steven Alzate back at Brighton after injury
Sustaining the injury by falling awkwardly in a Belgian Pro League match between Standard Liege and Charleroi earlier in December, the injury comes as a major blow to Steven Alzate.
Not least because the English-born Colombia international, 25, had been impressing in what is his second season out on loan with the Belgian side.
Like the Scottish league, the Belgian division goes on a short winter break in January and now the midfielder is back getting assessed with Brighton.
As a result of the injury, the Athletic are reporting Steven Alzate will also be out of action until the end of January meaning that should he move to Rangers – that’s right – he’ll likely still be injured.
Four to six weeks is about the expected length of time an injury of this nature and the good news is that these sorts of injuries have a much lower rate of relapse than traditional sprains.
Rangers target Premier League midfielder
Ranger have been linked with a move for Steven Alzate by a report in Belgium and the potential move is an interesting one for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, Brighton would have to recall Steven Alzate from Standard before sanctioning an exit to Rangers.
Secondly, the midfielder is in the final six months of his deal at the Premier League side meaning that Rangers are free to speak directly with the player.
It also means that Rangers could strike a cut-price deal for the player in this window with Brighton – whose recruitment is led by Technical Director and Ibrox Hall of Famer Davie Weir – as the Seagulls try to stave off losing him for nothing in the summer.
Born in London, Alzate started his career with Leyton Orient before signing with Brighton in 2017 – coincidentally the club’s first season in the Premier League.
In total, the midfielder made 51 appearances for Brighton including 43 in the Premier League.
