Michael Beale speaks out on Rangers conundrum on Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos
Rangers should keep hold of star pair Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos even if it means losing them for free in a year’s time says Michael Beale.
Both the attacking stand-outs are into the final year of their contracts, and talks over new ones appear to have stalled on both accounts, with the Colombian currently dropped from the squad over attitude and fitness concerns.
While there might be a temptation to sell both now to bring in some cash while the Gers still can, Steven Gerrard’s former right-hand man, and now QPR boss, thinks what they can bring to the team over a season would more than compensate for whatever clubs might be willing to pay.
In the Scottish Mail on Sunday print edition on 28 August (p.142) the former Ibrox assistant is quoted saying: “Morelos and Kent are idols for a generation of fans. Are Rangers going to sell two more idols in the same summer they’ve sold Joe Aribo? Some players make a team what it is and when they are not there you have to shuffle the pack.
“I have always felt Rangers were a better side with Ianis Hagi, Aribo, Kent and Morelos fit. That’s a nicer building to walk into.”
On Morelos’ future he went on: “I don’t think any player is irreplaceable.
“Is there a better option out there? Because he is loved. He is competing for trophies and every day he understands that more.
“I would say the same with Ryan Kent.
“Both those players are on really good wages. I also think Rangers is a really good club for them.”
Citing the size and reputation of the club he added: “You don’t find that everywhere. People say it’s time to sell but if those two can guarantee knock-out stages of Europe I’m not sure because they are bringing in money in other ways.”
Business decision
Beale is right and there is often a desperation to chase a number that looks more sensible on a balance sheet immediately than consider the overall implications.
To come close to replacing what Kent and Morelos bring to the side would cost far more than some minimal last-minute fees, even if the outlay could be amortised over a few years.
As he cites the example of Connor Goldson, who appeared set to leave this summer before signing a surprise new contract, the longer they remain the greater the chances that further memorable occasions like last season’s Europa League run make the connection to the club harder to walk away from.
El Bufalo’s value obviously is dependent on him and Giovanni van Bronckhorst seeing eye to eye and getting him back into the fold, otherwise he offers exactly nothing.
But the signals suggest there is a reasonable chance of that happening, and without an obviously thriving market for either player in the final days of the transfer window it surely makes more sense to focus on getting the best out of them while leaving the door open for extensions.
In other Rangers news, the club will hold new talks on Sunday as they look to drastically reduce the fee for a late signing, and they go into the negotiations holding the cards.