RANGERS were last night bracing themselves for Chinese club Beijing Renhe to make a second bid for Alfredo Morelos.
However, manager Graeme Murty insisted the offer, believed to be close to £7million which was rejected, would only be accepted by the club for “football reasons” meaning they would replace the Colombian striker before the transfer window shuts at midnight tonight.
Murty wants to keep the 21-year-old player who has scored 13 goals since his £1m summer move from HJK Helsinki but knows every Ibrox player has his price.
However, he feared losing his best forward player could prevent Rangers closing the gap to Celtic
“Alfredo is attracting interest because he’s doing well,” said Murty. “People are looking at him as an asset. He’s our player at the moment and currently no one has met our valuation.
We need to make sure that as much as we respect people’s valuation of Alfredo, we’ve got a job to do this season and need to make sure we push as high up the table as we can.
“So we need to maintain his squad at its current level if not improve it. It would be very difficult to replace the goals he’s scored and the person he is.
“We’re not prepared to take the money and risk a positive second half of the season because the feeling around the camp is positive at the moment.
“Once again, the football decision is, what do we want to do? Do we want to take money or push Celtic ? Do we want to close the gap? Do we want to push for second place? Do we want to win a cup? Absolutely.
“If taking Alfredo Morelos out of the team jeopardises those things, then it’s a no-brainer for me.”
The Chinese transfer window shuts on February 28 so even if Morelos stays beyond tonight, this sage might not be over.
“There’s dialogue ongoing,” Murty admitted. “Our position won’t change as far as I can tell. The figures are eye-opening at the moment but we’re not in a position where we’re being told we have to sell.
“We have to make sure we make footballing decisions for footballing reasons. If that’s the case, I’m really happy with that.
“I’m not saying that (he’s not for sale). But we have to make sure we can replace talent with talent. And if that talent isn’t out there it makes no sense to satisfy an economic target or figure unless we can strengthen the squad.
‘I’m not going to weaken the squad just to take money. We’re not in a position where we have to do that.”
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