Morelos must be sold on unless the striker agrees new Ibrox deal in coming weeks
Rangers cannot afford another prolonged period of what-ifs surrounding Colombian’s future at the club
IT IS A case of deja blue. Another season, another transfer window and another round of rumours, approaches and discussions all centred on Alfredo Morelos.
The equations and deliberations have been difficult for Rangers to solve in previous times as they have pondered prices and sought success. Not now, though.
As it stands, it is simple for all concerned. If Morelos doesn’t sign on, then he must be sold off.
The second scenario seems the most likely one as it stands.
If it does come to pass, it will be for a lot more than the £7 million that has become the latest price tag to be put on the striker’s head following talk of interest from Sevilla.
That was played down as quickly as it was hyped up but the scenario is a familiar one at Ibrox.
This time, it looks like having a different ending, though, and the inevitable weeks of links and leaks will surely culminate in Morelos leaving Rangers.
When the Ibrox club turned down a £16m approach from Lille two seasons ago, their stance and their thinking was that Morelos should be valued at the same level as Moussa Dembele, the Celtic striker who had not long completed a £20m move to Lyon.
Today, it is another former Parkhead striker who could be the barometer and a fee of around the £14m that Crystal Palace paid for Odsonne Edouard last summer would make the loss of Morelos slightly more palatable to a support that are preparing to bid farewell once again.
Given everything that is in play at present, that could be outwith Rangers’ bargaining abilities. Anything in eight figures would represent a middle ground and a fair deal and it remains to be seen if suitors are tempted at that level or if Rangers will face an unenviable decision this summer.
Morelos is, of course, only worth what anyone is willing to pay, but Rangers have painted themselves into a corner in many regards and their hand is the weakest it has been for some time given that one of their prized assets is out of contract at the end of the next campaign.
That same situation applies to Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo. If any of the trio remain at Ibrox after September 1, it must be because they have put pen to paper and committed themselves to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side for the long term.
Rangers got away with one, if you like, when Connor Goldson did just that at the start of the month and the four-year contract that the Englishman signed was a significant boost to Van Bronckhorst as he assembles his squad for the Premiership title challenge and a crack at the Champions League.
The Ibrox board were content to run the risk with Goldson. When he opted not to return south of the border and chose to sign on again in Glasgow, the reward was more than worth it for Rangers.
It would be reckless for that to be allowed to unfold with Morelos, Kent and Aribo, however, and Van Bronckhorst can well do without months of speculation and questions over the immediate and longerterm futures of three integral players.
The case of Morelos, one which has been a saga for so long, is the first one to come to the fore and off field matters are just as significant as those on the park at this time of the season as Van Bronckhorst prepares to gather his squad at Auchenhowie on Monday.
The Colombian’s qualities, his importance to the team and status amongst the support need no discussion.
His loss would be an undoubted negative, but the recruitment operation must then back themselves, and be given the required finance, to go and replace a talisman.
If Morelos does leave, he will do so without legendary status bestowed, but he is a hero of 55 and an integral part of Rangers restoring their reputation on the continent. Controversial and colourful yes, but undoubtedly clinical.
A misunderstood character in many ways, his rise and rise continues to inspire those in his hometown of Cerete and for all the flaws when the red mist has descended at times, the dynamic forward can go on to play at the highest levels of the game.
His record speaks for itself, yet it is one that should have been better. Morelos will have regrets from his five seasons at Ibrox and if he is denied a fitting farewell that will be the final and most emotional one of all.
The injury that ruled him out for the closing weeks of the season arguably cost Rangers the Europa League. It could now deprive Morelos of the send-off he deserves but it should not put off future employers as he continues to work through his rehabilitation programme.
At 26, his best years are ahead of him. If he doesn’t commit those campaigns to Rangers in a matter of weeks, then it is best for all concerned that he moves on and finally closes a chapter that has had so many twists and turns written into it.
Rangers do not need the distraction of a drawnout public chase and Van Bronckhorst can do without the uncertainty of knowing who will lead his side as the days of preparation dwindle and those defining Champions League qualifiers draw ever nearer.
A lack of firepower was one of Rangers’ downfalls during their title defence last term. In order to add more goals to the team, they may have to lose some first and the money received for Morelos will go a long way to allowing Van Bronckhorst to strengthen in the final third.
Rangers have been here before and the conjecture and discussion regarding Morelos is nothing new. It remains to be seen if the outcome is different this time around as the latest transfer tale plays out this term.