What Kevin Kelsy's MLS footage tells us about Rangers bid to sign striker

Kevin Kelsy is unsurprisingly a Rangers target after impressing in the MLS with Portland Timbers.

The Gers are looking for a new striker after Youssef Chermiti's ACL injury and have identified the Venezuela international as an option.

Derek McInnes is looking for someone with a similar profile to Chermiti, and the 22-year-old six-foot-four-inch striker fits the bill.

Kelsy has shown the Ibrox hierarchy enough to convince them to start talks with Portland.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk centre-forward scored for the Timbers in their 3-1 win over Club Tijuana in the League Cup.

With the Govan side desperate for attacking reinforcements after a deal for Couhaib Driouech fell through, the situation around the Venezuelan forward will be worth watching closely.

What Rangers could be getting with Kevin Kelsy transfer

Rangers have already bid £7.4million for Kelsy and it remains to be seen whether their bid will be accepted.

It looks like the Gers are ready to make the striker one of their biggest incoming arrivals in terms of transfer fees.

In the MLS this season, the left-footed Venezuela international has made 17 appearances, scoring nine goals, providing two assists and recording a top speed of 35.1 kilometres per hour, as per Sofascore.

Kelsy's movement will arguably be one reason the Glaswegian outfit are ready to make a significant financial commitment.

The striker's goal in the 40th minute to get Portland level against Tijuana showcased his ability to run behind defenders and make space for himself in the box.

Kelsy ran off the shoulders of his defender and made no mistake in slotting the ball into the back of the net.

The striker has a goal-conversion rate of 24 per cent and looks to be slightly more clinical than the options McInnes currently has at his disposal.

What Kevin Kelsy transfer would mean for other Ibrox attackers

Chermiti and Lawrence Shankland seemed to be McInnes' preferred partnership before the Portuguese striker's injury.

Ryan Naderi seems to be the next option for the Scottish manager in the pecking order, but has put in some poor performances this season.

Bojan Miovski continues to struggle for game time and it doesn't look like he will get his opportunities even in Chermiti's absence.

If the Gers do sign Kelsy, the North Macedonia international should be looking for a way out of Ibrox.

Once the former Everton forward returns from the sidelines, McInnes may have more than enough options to choose from up front.