Rangers move for Ross Stewart in January may hinge on Alfredo Morelos answer
Alfredo Morelos may dictate whether Rangers can make a move for “red-hot” Sunderland striker Ross Stewart, according to Sky Sports.
Both goal-scorers’ contracts are currently expiring in the summer, although the Black Cats have an option to extend Stewart’s for an extra season.
But the English Championship side’s talks over a new deal have reportedly reached an impasse, so they could be minded to cash in on the Scotland international in January where he could command a fee as high as £10million.
Morelos has seen somewhat of a revival in fortunes since the return of Michael Beale, scoring twice in the absence of the injured Antonio Colak, including in the 3-0 win over Motherwell on Wednesday night (28 December).
According to Sky Sports, it would likely require an answer, and presumably an exit, from the Colombian to free up the Gers to make a run at Stewart, and as such the Sunderland man’s current most likely destination is another side in his current division.
Stick or twist
Morelos has been well short of his best this season, having shown some of the best form in his Rangers career last season prior to thigh surgery that ruled him out of the run in.
The recovery from that scuppered any concrete market for his services in the summer, and amid the goalscoring form of new signing Colak, El Bufalo’s standing at the club has sunk.
He was dropped from the squad by Giovanni van Bronckhorst following his sending off against Hibs on 20 August, and although he was subsequently brought back in had only scored three goals before the Dutchman was sacked.
His exit appeared a foregone conclusion heading into the World Cup break, but two goals and an assist in the four wins under Beale has raised the prospect that he may still have a role.
The 26-year-old will be free to begin talking to other clubs about a pre-contract agreement in a matter of days so a resolution to his situation may not be far off, since the Light Blues may wish to sell him in January if there is a half-reasonable fee available.
On his day Morelos can be unplayable, but the scoring form that Stewart has been in over the past year an a half makes him an intriguing prospect for any club.
Top scorer in League One last year with 26, and seven in nine having made the step up to the Championship this season, despite a significant injury, he is producing the kind of numbers that could convince Beale to move on from Morelos and make a push for the Scot.
In other Rangers news, a former Gers player claims that James Tavernier isn’t the real leader in the squad.