Sevilla lead the chase for Ibrox striker Morelos
SEVILLA are leading the race to sign striker Alfredo Morelos this summer as Rangers brace themselves for bids for in-demand Joe Aribo amid interest from a host of Premier League clubs.
Reports in Spain on Wednesday evening claimed that the La Liga giants had made a formal approach – worth around £7 million – for Morelos in an attempt to lure him to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Rangers subsequently played down those suggestions but discussions are expected as boss Julian Lopetegui aims to bolster his attacking line ahead of the new campaign.
Morelos is in the final 12 months of the extended contract that he signed in March 2019 and Rangers now run the risk of losing the Colombian for free next summer unless they opt to cash in this term.
Ibrox chiefs remain eager to tie their talisman down on a new deal in the coming weeks but Morelos has repeatedly spoken of his desire to play at a higher level and Sevilla are in a prominent position to secure his signature if he decides to move on.
And playmaker Aribo could also head for the exit door as Rangers prepare for offers for the Nigeria internationalist that could see him return south of the border after three seasons in Glasgow.
Crystal Palace are long-time admirers of Aribo and Premier League newcomers Fulham and Nottingham Forest have also been credited with an interest in doing a deal for the 25-year-old as he enters the final term of his Ibrox deal.
Manager Giovanni Van Bronckhorst will look to sign Croatian forward Antonio Colak as he bids to
add much-needed firepower to his ranks ahead of the new campaign.
Colak, who scored twice as Malmo beat Steven Gerrard’s side at Ibrox last term, will be available for around £2m and it is expected that Rangers will reach an agreement with Greek side PAOK to allow them to open discussions with the 28-year-old.
One forward who is already destined for Ibrox is Millwall starlet Zak Lovelace after he rejected offers from the Premier League and informed the Lions that he will be making the move to Glasgow in the coming weeks.