By Sam Stone

30th Jan, 2023 | 9:10pm

Rangers 'unnamed' striker wanted by Michael Beale as 2023 transfer update emerges - Chris Jack

Rangers’ “unnamed” first-choice striker target will not be available until the summer, according to the Glasgow Evening Times’, Chris Jack.

Morgan Whittaker has been a long-term target of Michael Beale’s, although it looks as if the Swansea forward will now be staying in South Wales for the time being.

A striker is still very much on the agenda for the former QPR boss and Jack has suggested a summer move for Beale’s “first choice” could be on the cards.

“His unnamed first-choice striker to come in as a No.9 will not be available until the summer,” wrote Jack (Glasgow Evening Times, 30 January).

Interesting

This is an interesting update and it can mean one or two things. Firstly, it’s a player who is out of contract in the summer but is potentially not available at the moment, or it could be a striker who is performing well for his current club and has not been permitted to leave midway through the season.

With Alfredo Morelos’ future up in the air, it appears Beale is potentially preparing for the Colombian to depart Ibrox. Antonio Colak will be a long-term option to call upon but the Croatian does need competition and a new forward joining the club in the summer would be a smart move.

It’s been a promising first transfer window for the new boss as he looks to add some youth to his squad. Nicolas Raskin is edging closer to completing his move to Rangers and Todd Cantwell has already come through the door.

One more player joining the club would be the icing on the cake for Beale, however, it wouldn’t be a disaster if he ended the window with just two additions.

In other Rangers news, a club in Europe holds the option to re-sign a player from Ibrox whenever they like.