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Rangers transfer news: Alfredo Morelos prediction after Jermain Defoe deal - not good news
RANGERS’ signing of Jermain Defoe means Alfredo Morelos will leave the club this month.
Jermain Defoe shares intense training session
That’s the verdict of ex-Celtic striker John Hartson.
Rangers have secured the signing of Defoe on an 18-month loan deal from Bournemouth until the end of the season subject to a medical.
Express Sport understands Steven Gerrard will sign Defoe and bring former midfielder Steven Davis back to Ibrox from Southampton both before this Sunday.
That would inject serious belief into the Light Blues’ challenge for the Scottish Premiership title with the Glasgow giants level with rivals Celtic on points during the winter break, albeit with Celtic having an extra game to play.
But Gerrard may also have to contend with approaches for star striker Morelos, who said recently: “It is very likely there are several teams looking at me and that there will be offers [in January] but there is nothing concrete yet. My dream is to play in the English Premier League.”
The Colombian has 20 goals in all competitions this season and has been subject to serious interest last January and in the summer window just gone.
But Gerrard is desperate to keep hold of the club’s top goalscorer and warned interested clubs: “I won’t turn my phone off, I’ll listen to what they have to say. I’ll be respectful. But he’s going nowhere, and that’s the message.”
Yet that was before the signing of 36-year-old veteran frontman Defoe was sealed, with the former England international going north of the border in search of game-time that was not on offer at Bournemouth having not started a single Premier League match this season.
And Hartson thinks Morelos could go one way while Defoe goes the other.
He said on Twitter: “Defoe to Rangers.. that mean Morelos is away..”
But positively for Rangers, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth says Defoe is relishing the opportunity to write himself down into Rangers history.
“I did speak to him very, very briefly earlier,” Sheth told Sky Sports News.
“Make no mistake, he is well aware he could become a huge hero at Rangers. I’ve spoken to him in the last hour, very, very briefly.
“There’s obviously still work to be done on this deal, it’s only an agreement between both clubs it must be said.
“But what he’s saying to me at the moment, he’s very excited. He knows he could become a massive hero there.
“Imagine if he scores the goals that fire Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title. Celtic I’m sure will have plenty to say about that.
“But what a story for Rangers, what a story for Jermain Defoe and what a story for football up in Scotland.”