Michael Beale has agreed to suspend talks over Alfredo Morelos’ future until the summer after being assured the Colombian has not signed for Sevilla.
Reports from Spain last week claimed that the out-of-contract Ibrox ace had signed a deal to join the La Liga giants this summer. But Morelos has informed Gers that this is not the case after candid talks with his boss earlier this week. A move to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan may not be possible, but where the 26-year-old will play next year remains a mystery.
But Beale is content to wait before coming to a final decision. The Londoner said: “We spoke after the game on Sunday and there is no truth to that (Seville rumor). I was pretty cool about that beforehand because we have such a strong relationship. We are committed to each other until the end of the season, when we sit down and chat.
“If Alfredo is here and offers a new contract, fine. If he continues, he will become our record scorer in Europe. He gets a hug and moves on. But at the moment we are only focusing on the games ahead.”
Beale has made it clear that he wants Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent to reapply before they become free agents this summer. But he was less sure about Morelos when speaking after last week’s win over Raith Rovers, as he insisted the man Rangers signed for £1million in 2017 needs to show more to win back his place from Antonio Colak .
He said: “The most important thing is where we see the club moving forward and who we want to build around for the next three or four years. So I have to think when I make these offers, ‘Do I feel like I want to build something with it for the next few years?’
“It’s a time when a lot of players are out of contract and so a lot of salaries will come in if we don’t renew with these players. That gives the club a lot of opportunities this summer.
“I’ve identified a few players that we’re working on right now to do our scouting. There are almost two jobs going on. Now there’s the team trying to improve that and behind the scenes we’re working on what Rangers will look like from July 1 when we return for pre-season.
“Those are big decisions to make. Alfredo has played a huge role for this club over the years and I can certainly only say nice things about him and our relationship.
“But at the end of the season there has to be a conversation about whether we continue our relationship or not. That is very open in this day and age.”
And Beale hit back at his weekend critique when he said, “In terms of Alfredo’s work ethic, it’s fine. I have to be honest, since I got back to Alfredo it’s been fantastic in every way. There have been no problems.
“I think sometimes people try to force and find one. He’s scored seven goals and made five assists in the time I’ve been here.
“He hasn’t played all the games. For example, he hasn’t (started) in the last three weeks, so if you look at his goalscoring contribution per game, he’s one by one. I just have to make a decision about where I want the team in the future wants to take and Alfredo has also made a decision about where he sees his long-term future.
“It’s going to be a summer where he’s not the only one we talk to about that. There are other players who have a contract with whom I have also had that discussion.”
Malik Tillman returns to the Ibrox team for Saturday’s Fir Park trip, but Nico Raskin could be a doubt for the Motherwell clash after being sent for a scan of a thigh problem. Beale said: “Nico has a little problem, he missed practice today. He had a bit of a problem with his quad after last race, but we don’t think it’s anything serious.
“It’s touch and go. We’ll see tomorrow and if there’s any risk it’s going to be a no, but at the moment it’s promising that he’ll be fine.”
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