Alfredo Morelos returns to Rangers form amid demands to cancel Santos contract and bizarre reunion

Rangers have lost a lot of money over the last few seasons with players leaving the club and no money coming in the opposite direction.

During the 2024 transfer window, five players left for just £800,000 in what is expected to be the last time Ibrox are raided for a pittance.

One of the players who left Rangers for free was Alfredo Morelos, who was never far from hitting the headlines after discovering that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Photo by JAIME SALDARRIAGA/AFP via Getty Images

Alfredo Morelos returns to form after Rangers resurgence

Morelos has just fired Atletico Nacional to a league and cup double in Colombia to complete a loan spell from Santos.

With 11 goals and two assists in 28 appearances, the 28-year-old has finally found the goal touch that left him in his final months as a Rangers player.

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That doesn’t mean Santos will welcome him with open arms, says Brazilian journalist Fabiano Farah:

“The club’s lawyers are only waiting for the approval of the Peixe management committee, chaired by Marcelo Teixeira, to proceed with the termination of the contract. The salary relief would amount to more than 8 million reais,” Farah said via R7.

“Alfredo Morelos has always been a burden on the club’s coffers. He did not keep his promises on the ground. He resisted reducing his salary to participate in the Serie B of the Brazilian Championship and when he reduced it to R$350,000 per month, he charged a bonus of R$20,000 per goal scored.

Could Clement listen to Morelos?

Morelos’ road accident and his arrest for drink-driving have prompted Santos to consider canceling the striker’s contract, which could see him look for a new club for the third time since leaving the Rangers.

El Bufalo has been open about his desire to return to Europe, which begs the question: would the current manager be able to listen to the powerhouse striker?

Using Data MB’s comparison model, the answer is yes.

Morelos is a more complete player than Cyriel Dessers in that he links the play better, takes the ball more and gives opposing defenders a hard time.

There has been interest in Dessers in France and getting a high salary sitting on the bench off the payroll would free up resources for Clement to recruit another striker.

Rangers fans dreaming of a blockbuster return for Morelos should not get their hopes up as Morelos lacks the mobility and fitness that the current boss demands from his No.9.

One thing can be guaranteed though: wherever Morelos goes, the fireworks will never be far behind, especially with Pedro Caixinha set to become his new boss at Santos.