‘There is something in that one’ – Gerrard drops Rangers transfer hint, deal reportedly close
Steven Gerrard has confirmed Rangers are looking at Colombia Under-17s striker Juan Diego Alegria amid reports linking him with a move to Ibrox.
According to Colombian outlet Antena 2, the 18-year-old is set to join Rangers on loan, with the FC Honka attacker telling Glasgow Live on Thursday that he is “finalising details” with the club.
Alegria only arrived at the Veikkausliiga club in September, having moved from Colombian side FC Tolima, and has made just six senior appearances for the Finnish side (via Transfermarkt).
Speaking on Friday, Gerrard said that the club is “aware of the player and his talent”, but insisted there is nothing to report at this stage.
“The Alegria one is slightly different,” he told his press conference on Friday.
“We are well aware of the player and his talent. We are always looking to recruit right through the club. This is something the academy has had a closer eye on than myself but we are very much aware of the boy. There is something in that one but there is nothing to report on it as of yet.”
One for the future
Given the similarities of the route he has taken up until this point, it is clear why the comparisons with Alfredo Morelos are being made, but Alegria will arrive at the club with far less of a proven track record.
Set to turn 19 in June next year, he impressed playing for FC Honka II, where he scored four goals in four games and was subsequently promoted to the first team. He has earned two caps for the Colombian U17s side, but it is unlikely he will play right away (via Transfermarkt).
When Morelos arrived at Rangers in 2017, he had scored 27 Veikkausliiga goals in 42 appearances for HJK and was about to turn 21 (via Transfermarkt), so Alegria is much more of a project for the youth coaches to work with. Having said that, he clearly has plenty of talent and has caught the eye of the Rangers hierarchy, and could prove to be another savvy move by the club.
In other Rangers news, Gers not guaranteed to see lightning strike twice with reported transfer close