Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos has turned down a move to Hebei China Fortune, according to a report by Sky Sports.
It is claimed the Colombian ace decided against a lucrative move worth around £10m-a-year before tax on a three-year deal after the Chinese outfit were believed to be ready to match the Light Blues’ valuation in the region of £15m, although it is stressed no official bid was made.
Although Rangers might be able to breathe a huge sigh of relief concerning Morelos’ decision to turn down the move to China, it might only be short-lived at the moment.
With England’s transfer window not closing until 8 August and the alleged interest from the likes of West Ham United and Crystal Palace (The Daily Record) and a desire from the 23-year-old to play in the Premier League, perhaps he is holding out for one of the aforementioned clubs to make a move for him this summer.
And, that is bound to annoy Steven Gerrard further as he has admitted his frustrations at having to field the question from journalists every time he conducted a press conference.
“Alfredo is a huge part of what we are trying to do here,” Gerrard said (via The Scotsman). “Instead of me answering this question every single press conference, I’m going to do everything I can to put Alfredo in front of you guys. Then you can ask him the question whether he wants to be part of this going forward. I can only say I want him to be part of it. The decision lands with Alfredo.
“I’m sure now that he has been in this country two or three years, he knows ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. So can we have Alfredo up here please to stop me having to answer the question every time. I’ll do my best for you.”
Morelos’ decision to reject a move to China might only be prolonging the inevitable this summer and a choice that he may not make the next time should a proposal come his way.
There is not just English interest, with Sky Sports alluding to clubs in Germany and Italy also being interested in snapping up the 23-year-old this summer.
So, the move to China may not have been something that tempted Morelos at this stage in his career, but the interest from some of Europe’s top leagues may be a completely different kettle of fish for the South American.
Rangers fans, do you think Morelos is just delaying the inevitable this summer by rejecting a move to China? Let us know your thoughts by sharing them in the comments below!
