Rangers monitoring striker Erik Botheim surely indicates that Alfredo Morelos is to leave Ibrox
Rangers are said to be monitoring Norwegian Erik Botheim – and this surely means the Gers are preparing for a high-profile departure at Ibrox.
As revealed by Football Scotland on 16 June, Giovanni van Bronckhorst is monitoring the 22-year-old Norwegian striker’s situation after his Krasnodar contract was cancelled following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Rangers being linked to a new striker is somewhat timely after it was revealed by The Chronicle on Tuesday 14 June, that talks with Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos have stalled as the 25-year-old enters the final year of his Ibrox contract.
With the 25-year-old talisman coming to the end of his current contract, it would not be a shock to see the striker depart Ibrox this summer.
Rangers targeting a young striker such as Botheim perhaps indicate that the club know Morelos is unlikely to renew his contract at the Scottish giants.
Morelos is not the only attack-minded player that van Bronckhorst could be looking to replace.
As reported by The Athletic on 8 June, Crystal Palace remain interested in bringing Joe Aribo back to South London and Ryan Kent is attracting interest from Leeds United, as per 90min [6 May].
Aribo and Kent are also both out of contract next summer, so it comes as no surprise to see the Rangers boss target reinforcements to his forward line.
The sad reality for Rangers is that regardless of the size of the club, they have little hope of matching the wages that can be offered to players if they decide to make the move to the Premier League.
Ultimately, van Bronckhorst knows that he must cash in on his star men this summer and reinvest in his squad.
Rangers cannot afford to lose any of their prized assets for free next summer.
In other Rangers news, a replacement for a club stalwart is ready and waiting to be signed if they can sort out a bid.