Rangers may be forced to accept cut-price offers for Porto target Alfredo Morelos after Malmo eliminated Steven Gerrard’s side from the Champions League, according to A Bola.
Porto view Morelos as their top-target to replace Moussa Marega at the Estadio do Dragao this summer. The Malian left the Liga NOS giants after his contract expired, but Sergio Conceicao is yet to replace his goals.
Rangers have priced Porto out of a deal for Morelos so far this summer by demanding €15m (£13m). The Dragoes believe it is more than the Colombian is worth, as they try to lure him in with Champions League football and a wage exceeding his £33k-per-week deal.
A Bola believe Morelos now appears a more realistic option for Porto to sign to strengthen Conceicao’s frontline after Malmo eliminated Rangers from the Champions League. The Portuguese publication suggests the Gers may have to accept offers below their valuation.
Morelos is ready to take on a new challenge away from Ibrox this season after four years in Glasgow. He helped the Gers win the Premiership title last season, and feels that is a strong stopping point. Jornal de Noticias had already reported Morelos wanted to leave Rangers.
Gerrard would have stood a better chance of keeping Morelos at Rangers had he overseen wins over Malmo. The striker wanted assurances he would be competing in UEFA’s premier club competition this season, like is possible at Porto.
The Dragoes have played Champions League football in six of the last seven seasons, only dropping into the Europa League for 2019/20. They also reached the quarter-final last term, after eliminating Juventus in the Last 16, despite losing the second-leg in Turin.
Gerrard will rue Rangers accepting cut-price Morelos offer from Porto
The Daily Record had suggested Rangers may have to sell players after losing to Malmo in the Champions League. Now, Porto may also be hoping the situation lessens their grips on Morelos, to prey on Rangers’ European heartache.
Gerrard would surely prefer to keep Morelos at Ibrox at all costs, but the decision may be beyond his control. The 25-year-old opened his account for the season against Malmo on Tuesday, after scoring 17 times last season. He also provided 13 assists over his 44 outings.
Gerrard was full of praise for Morelos after his appearance against Benfica in Rangers’ draw in November. He said, via The Scottish Sun: “I thought Alfredo was outstanding for the majority of the game. His hold up play, he was strong for us and got another important goal. I thought his performance was probably his strongest of the season.”
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