Ibrox sources have sprung into action tonight as they brace supporters for the ‘cut price’ departure of Alfredo Morelos.
Late this morning word a reputable French source revealed that the striker had agreed terms to join Lille despite reported interest from Napoli, Lazio and Everton.
News that the player had agreed terms was contrary to the usual way that transfers are engineered, leaving the Ibrox club against the wall when it comes to negotiating a fee. Take the cash or hold out, miss out and have an unsettled player on board.
Understand Lille have submitted a bid for Alfredo Morelos but it is a mile off what Rangers are looking for and that as far as Rangers are concerned right now, no further talks are planned
— Andy Newport (@AndyNewportPA) July 26, 2020
Number of French clubs keen tonight on @RangersFC striker Alfredo Morelos – no fee agreed with @LOSC_EN and no active discussion going on between the two clubs at this time.
— Jim White (@JimWhite) July 26, 2020
I’m hearing that there are, in fact, no talks ongoing between #RangersFC and #Lille over #AlfredoMorelos.
Worth noting that it’s customary for transfers to start with two clubs agreeing a transfer fee and then the player agreeing terms with the buyers, not the other way around…— David Tanner (@DavidTannerTV) July 26, 2020
Morelos can now push for the transfer, the club reluctantly agree to a deal, the player is painted as the villain with some welcome funds deposited in the club’s bank account. All for an undisclosed fee.
With less than a week to go before the season starts Steven Gerrard finds himself trying to keep control of a wayward player who has finally found a club prepared to pay him a far higher salary.
After picking up seven red cards, including two against Celtic, the Ibrox boss knows the damaged goods that he is dealing with.
In the background the money men at Ibrox have to find the funds to meet pay-roll and deferrals while trying to find the players to stop Celtic reaching the dreaded TEN.