By Jason Jones

29th Jun, 2020 | 4:22pm

Report - Rangers have initial approach for Kemar Roofe knocked back

Rangers have had an initial loan offer with an option-to-buy clause for Anderlecht striker Kemar Roofe turned down, according to Belgian outlet Walfoot

The ex-Leeds United striker made a move to the continent last summer for a fee of around £7 million.

Since then, he has hit seven goals in 16 outings over the course of a campaign that has been hampered by injury.

The Scottish Sun reported last week that the Gers are eager to reignite their interest in the 27-year-old, and see him as a potential replacement for Alfredo Morelos, with Qatari outfit Al-Duhail linked with a £15 million swoop for the Colombian.

But Walfoot suggest that an initial approach from the Glaswegian giants has been knocked back by Anderlecht.

The report claims that Rangers raised the idea of a loan with an option-to-buy at the end of next season, believed to be worth around £5.5 million.

It is understood that swapping the loan for a permanent transfer could go a long way towards wrapping a deal up, however.

What should we make of this?

Obviously, it isn’t great news that Anderlecht have rejected our initial move for Roofe, but at the very least it would appear that there is a way that we can make significant progress in negotiations.

You can understand Rangers’ hesitation at committing to a permanent deal for any player at the present time, especially when that player would cost in excess of £5 million.

The financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic is being keenly felt throughout the footballing world, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see spending drop away across the market this summer.

But Roofe is a proven goalscorer, and one who has a shot accuracy rate that is 6.9% higher than Morelos’ this season, as per Wyscout.

Rangers have to be willing to make bold statements this summer if they are to prevent Celtic from winning 10-in-a-row.

Signing Roofe would certainly fall into the category.

In other Rangers news, Ibrox Exclusive: Alex Bruce claims Ryan Kent can be ‘big asset’ for Gers in ‘huge’ 20/21.