West Bromwich Albion could make long-time target Alfredo Morelos their record signing after securing a Premier League return, with the striker nearing an exit from Rangers according to the Daily Record.
12 months ago, the Baggies were certainly chancing their arm when they made a £12 million bid for one of the hottest strikers in England.
West Brom were a Championship team at the time, after all.
And it never felt likely that Morelos would walk away from a title-chasing, Europa League-playing Rangers side to pit his wits against the Barnsleys, the Birminghams and the Blackburns of the world.
Flash forward to the present day, however, and suddenly The Hawthorns looks a much more tempting destination.
West Brom are preparing for a Premier League season for the first time since 2017 and, according to the Record, the Midland giants are set to renew their interest in Morelos.
The Colombian not only scored a stunning 29 goals in all competitions last season, he also showed signs of curbing a hot-headed streak which had former Rangers team-mate Gareth McAuley despairing during their time together at Ibrox.
“As a defender, I know it would be easy to wind him up and get a reaction out of him,” McAuley, a modern-day West Brom hero, told the BBC.
“If he moved to the Premier League, players are cleverer, they make better decisions, they won’t get into a fight with you. But he gets goals and the Rangers fans love him.
“He’s raw and he’s a young boy. He’s a good player, but he could make himself better if he applied himself better. He has the potential and, if he trained with intensity every day, he could be even better.”
A Lille side who have money to spend following Victor Osimhen’s move to Napoli are set to make a £17 million bid after agreeing personal terms with Morelos.
As a result, West Brom have no choice but to make a club-record bid if they are to snap up the striker form under the noses of a Ligue 1 giant.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
