Rangers have been linked with a move for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Steven Alzate, who is currently on loan at Standard Liege.
It was only a matter of time before we saw Rangers being linked with somebody playing in Belgium.
Boss Philippe Clement and new director of football recruitment Nils Koppen are both Belgian and will have one eye on talents in their homeland.
Reports in Belgium just a few days ago indicated that Rangers have been offered the chance to sign Brighton-owned midfielder Steven Alzate.
Brighton technical director David Weir is a former Rangers man himself and may feel that Alzate would be ideal for a move to Ibrox.
Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri has played down a move to Glasgow for now, believing that Rangers have other priorities, but Alzate is an interesting player…
Steven Alzate, the story so far
Alzate hails from Camden in London and started his career in the youth ranks at Leyton Orient.
After just 12 first-team appearances, Alzate was plucked by Brighton in 2017 as they spotted his potential in League Two.
Just a couple of years later, Alzate broke into the Brighton first team with Graham Potter taking a liking towards the midfielder.
Alzate ended up playing 43 Premier League games under Potter but has now spent the last 18 months out on loan at Standard Liege.
The 25-year-old now has seven caps for Colombia, qualifying to play for them through his Colombian parents.
Alzate is out of contract at the end of the season and looks likely to leave Brighton permanently, possibly putting him on the Rangers radar.
Steven Alzate player profile
- Age: 25
- Date of birth: 08/09/1998
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Brighton and Hove Albion
- Former clubs: Leyton Orient, Swindon Town, Standard Liege
- Nationality: Colombian
- Contract: Until June 2024
Steven Alzate, what they say
“The brand of football that the club is playing at the moment suits him and you can see he’s very comfortable in possession with the people around him. He’s rare in the sense that he’s a midfielder that can pass the ball with vision, but can also go past people as well. The system is very different to what we’re used to, but it’s plain to see in all the games so far this season that the club is a happy place,” – Former Brighton and Hove Albion striker Glenn Murray, speaking in 2019.
“He’s dedicated and focused but his main attribute on the pitch is that he is incredibly comfortable with the ball. He can take an extra touch under pressure and he hasn’t been fazed by the Premier League. His technical ability is really good. He’s a great lad with a lot of ability and a big future,” – Former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter, speaking in 2020.
“He came on for the last 15 minutes at Everton and I thought he had something. He’s 21 and a late developer but his determination and professionalism and his ability to handle the ball under intense pressure against some of the world’s best players in the Premier League has been really good,” – Former Brighton and Hove Albion technical director Dan Ashworth, speaking in 2020.
“He’s the engine. He’s the one who puts the pressure on. For him the ball is a friend. He asks for the ball. He clears up the game. He plays with two touches of the ball. He brings the ball to life. He finds the intervals and plays vertically. He brought calm,” – Former Belgium boss Marc Wilmots, speaking in September 2023.
“He is one of the best players in the Belgian championship. His presence changes everything. He has absolute charisma,” – Film maker and Belgian football pundit Stephan Streker, speaking in September 2023.
“If it were only up to me, I would keep him with this team for five years,” – Former Standard boss Carl Hoefkens, speaking in December 2023.
Steven Alzate to Rangers analysis
It sounds like Rangers aren’t prioritising a move for Alzate right now but we would love to see him arrive at Ibrox.
Alzate still has untapped potential at 25 and could represent a real bargain given his contract situation.
Rangers pounced to sign Nicolas Raskin – ironically from Standard Liege – and Todd Cantwell in the final stages of their contracts last year, landing great value transfers.
Alzate would fit a similar mould and has decent experience under his belt in the Premier League and in Belgium’s top flight.
A player with impressive ability on the ball and the versatility to play in a number of positions, Alzate is the kind of player we could see making a real impact at Rangers.
Let’s just hope that Weir can get through to Rangers and instigate a January move.
