{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Ibrox View: Latest transfer report could be worryingly perfect for Rangers big name
RANGERS OPINION
It will come as a surprise to absolutely nobody if Alfredo Morelos’ transfer saga dominates the headlines at Rangers this summer.
The 23-year-old has long been linked with a move away from Ibrox, with Football Insider suggesting back in January that he was a target for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan.
Evidently, neither of those deals came to pass, but the speculation over him leaving in the coming months is unlikely to die down any time soon.
And as time goes by, more clubs are being linked with the South American hitman.
The latest to spur the rumour mill into action are Ligue 1 side St. Etienne who, according to Colombian outlet Antena 2, are keen on making a summer swoop for El Bufalo.
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
But is it a realistic option for the striker?
Well, according to a recent piece from Football Insider, the Gers could be forced to slash their asking price for their star asset as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, meaning that the likelihood of securing the £25 million they were reportedly hoping to pocket looks significantly reduced.
Most pertinently to this latest report, it could also mean that Morelos becomes a much more affordable capture for St. Etienne.
Another key point to consider is that the French club look, on paper at least, tailor-made for Morelos’ style of play.
While St. Etienne generally don’t employ the same 4-3-3 that the forward has enjoyed so much success with at Ibrox, their willingness to still rely upon pace and trickery in wide areas – leading to a cross success rate that is 0.4% higher than Rangers over the past calendar year, as per Wyscout – would surely lead to an abundance of chances for Morelos to prey on.
The image below shows the club’s formational tendencies over the past year.
Finally, you probably back Morelos to usurp St. Etienne’s current centre forward Lois Diony with ease.
So far this season, the 27-year-old has registered 0.24 goals per game, as per Wyscout, compared to Morelos’ 0.73.
He also has, on average, 3.06 fewer shots than the Colombian per match, as well as 2.44 fewer successful dribbles, and a total action success rate that is 10.1% lower than Morelos’.
In short, even after his recent dip in form at Ibrox, Morelos is still the vastly superior player.
Overall, this is pretty worrying.
All the evidence points towards this being a move that would suit both Morelos and St. Etienne down to the ground.
Let’s just hope the Gers stand their ground and don’t let it happen.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist is bang on, something ‘absolutely stinks’ at Ibrox right now.