Morelos bid short of Gers’ valuation

RANGERS: Ibrox side reject French outfit Lille’s offer for Colombian striker

Rangers have knocked back Lille’s opening offer for Alfredo Morelos with the French club’s bid for the Colombian “some way short” of the Ibrox outfit’s valuation, Courier Sport understands.

Reports yesterday suggested Gers boss Steven Gerrard was bracing himself to say goodbye to his talisman amid speculation that Lille have agreed personal terms with the striker.

The report originated in France with television network RMC Sport claiming that both clubs were moving towards agreeing a transfer deal.

But the bid submitted is believed to be nowhere close to the sum the Light Blues are looking for and no further talks are planned.

Lille finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and are about to pocket a reported £55 million fee for Napolibound striker Victor Osimhen.

Morelos has three years left on his

Ibrox deal but has never hidden his desire to play in a richer league than the Scottish Premiership.

The Colombia international scored 28 of his 29 goals last season before New Year and was sent off twice in quick succession in late December. The 24-year-old has cut a frustrated figure at times during pre-season and a sale could allow Steven Gerrard to strengthen his team.

Speaking after a 2-0 pre-season victory over Coventry on Saturday, Gerrard said: “We need more. I have told the club that, I’ve been honest and open with what I feel we need.

“In terms of where we are at from a financial point of view, they are questions for other people, but I have made it quite clear that we need to add to what we’ve got.

“We need to add players into the 11 to make us stronger and then, naturally, that will make the squad stronger. At the moment, we still need to get people in the door.”

However, Gerrard already had a shortage of strikers heading into this Saturday’s opening Scottish Premiership encounter against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Jermain Defoe picked up a hamstring injury last week and is expected to be out for at least two weeks, while there has been no direct replacement following the end of Hibernian forward Florian Kamberi’s loan spell.

Speaking about his forward line on Saturday, Gerrard said: “That’s the one area that’s giving me a slight concern as we haven’t got enough numbers in that area. But we are actively looking to try to add in that area.”

The likes of former Dundee attacker Greg Stewart and Jamie Murphy have played upfront previously in their careers, although they normally play on the wing or just behind the striker.

Gerrard hopes to line up another behind-closed-doors friendly this week as he bids to get Filip Helander ready for the new season.

The big Swede made his first appearance since injuring his foot in December’s Betfred Cup final defeat to Celtic when he came on for the final halfhour of Saturday’s friendly.

The manager now hopes Helander gets in some more much-needed minutes before the trip to Pittodrie.

“We’re hoping to get another friendly in place for Tuesday for some of the lads who haven’t started as many games as we’d have liked during pre-season. Hopefully we can get that in place for Tuesday afternoon but we’ll see.

“One of the big reasons for trying to get a game on Tuesday is to try and add to the 30 minutes Fil got today.

“The idea will be, can he go for 45-60 minutes to get him in better condition and available for the Aberdeen game?”

The Ibrox side claimed victory over Coventry thanks to goals from Joe Aribo and Connor Goldson.

SNS Group. Picture: Alfredo Morelos: Made no secret of the fact he would like to play elsewhere.