Morelos' central role in club's double success but Rangers hero's future up in air

Yesterday at 05:03 AM

Alfredo Morelos’ career hasn’t gone the way he and others would have expected it since leaving Rangers.

At points during his time at Ibrox, the Colombian was hot property and expected to make the club decent money following his move from HJK Helsinki for €1.2 million plus add-ons (Daily Record).

In the summer of 2019, Chinese side Hebei China Fortune submitted an offer of £15m, which could have made Morelos £30m over three years, but it was turned down (Sky Sports).

The striker has a legacy at Rangers as the club’s top scorer of all time in Europe but his ending wasn’t a sweet one, leaving on a free transfer last year after a very underwhelming final season, along with Ryan Kent.

After months without a club, Morelos signed for Santos in Brazil but it wasn’t a spell that turned out well. They were relegated out of the top flight for the first time in their history and El Bufalo was forced to take a pay cut.

His performances weren’t what he or his club would have wanted either and he was banished from the first-team squad with the club citing 'technical reasons'.

Morelos eventually moved on loan to Atletico Nacional, back in his homeland of Colombia.

And he will be waking up this morning thankful he made that move.

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Morelos scores to help Atletico Nacional to double success

Things are now looking up for the 28-year-old with his loan club winning a league and cup double.

And Morelos helped fire them to glory with a goal in a 2-0 victory over Deportes Tolima, making it 3-1 om aggregate to crown Atletico Colombian champions.

He found the net after just six minutes and the win sparked huge celebrations.

Morelos’ club finished fifth in the regular season but the league then splits into two, and Atletico’s success makes them Torneo Finalizacion.

Finishing fifth earned them a place in the semi-finals and they managed to navigate their way through to win the final.

Morelos has been embroiled in controversy recently with drink driving allegations and opposing managers and players disciplined for taunting him.

Morelos wanted for Peru transfer

Morelos is still a Santos player with his loan deal at Atletico Nacional expiring in a week’s time. His contract in Brazil runs until December 2026.

It seems unlikely he will have a future there, although you never know in football.

There have already been rumours around his future with reports suggesting Peruvian side Universitario are considering Morelos for their striker vacancy.

He is one of three options considered from the Colombian top flight along with Leonardo Castro of Millonarios and Deportivo Pasto's Daniel Moreno.