Jason Jones

Sun 3 May 2020 12:46, UK

Kris Boyd has claimed it is “safe to assume” that Rangers will sell star man Alfredo Morelos this summer. 

The Colombian has been consistently linked with a departure from Ibrox in recent times, with West Ham and Leicester City emerging as the two latest clubs to be monitoring his situation, as per The Sun.

And Boyd has even gone as far as to suggest that the Hammers would be an ideal destination for the 23-year-old.

Speaking to The Scottish Sun, the former Ibrox hitman said: “I think it’s safe to assume Morelos will be sold by Rangers this summer.

“Gers will need the money to rebuild their squad in preparation for next season.

“I think West Ham would be the perfect club for Morelos. The Hammers suit his style of play — bustling, harassing, aggressive.

“I’m pretty sure he’d make his mark in the East End of London, too.”

Would Morelos be a good fit for West Ham?

It’s difficult to say for sure, but there’s no doubting how lethal is in the final third.

With 29 goals, an average xG of 0.73, and 4.96 shots per game this term, as per Wyscout, it’s clear that Morelos is a ruthless finisher who is a constant handful for opposition defences.

By contrast, the Hammers’ current centre-forward, Sebastien Haller, has averaged just 1.9 shots per game this season, as per Whoscored.

There are other areas where Morelos looks like less of a good fit, however.

For example, he contests just 3.72 aerial duels per game, and wins just a third of those.

Haller has contested 15 per game during his first campaign in England, and has won an average of 7.6.

If the Hammers are looking for a striker to come in and replicate that kind of physical presence, then Morelos is not the man to do that.

But, if they are looking for somebody who can feed off Haller’s knockdowns by making himself a nuisance in advanced areas, the Colombian could be a perfect signing.

In other Rangers news, ‘Bad faith’ – Michael Stewart launches attack on Gers amid SPFL controversy.