Alfredo Morelos: Rangers manager reveals major update on 'very positive' contract talks

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is hopeful striker Alfredo Morelos will sign a new deal to remain at the club beyond next summer.

Morelos has been out since March when a thigh injury ruled him out of the remainder of the season but the Colombian international gave Rangers a lift by appearing among the first-team squad for a special training session in front of supporters at Ibrox yesterday.

Now with his contract entering its final season the 26-year-old has re-appeared just in time for the new campaign – and it may not be his last according to his manager. Talks over a new deal are ongoing and hope is on the horizon an extension can be agreed.

Morelos took part in ball-work in front of the cameras as van Bronckhorst gave an update on his fitness.

“Every session he looks better and sharper so we are monitoring his development over the coming weeks,” he told Sky Sports. “When he is fit he is an option for me up front and we all know his quality. I’d rather have him back as quick as possible.

“I’m only looking at his physical fitness at the moment – he has been out a long time and he has to get back to his levels to perform in games.

"The other issue is the contract he has. He is very positive about signing a new contract and we are doing our best to get Morelos on a new contract. Hopefully in the next few weeks we will sort it out – but talks are ongoing.”

Morelos’ return is ahead of Kemar Roofe’s fitness schedule with the Jamaican international not expected back until September – but he has been linked with a move away from Ibrox. Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County loan deals have been speculated but, as it stands, van Bronckhorst is content with the squad he has – with left-back Ridvan Yilmaz still to finalise a move from Besiktas to add to the backline already strengthened by Ben Davies following Calvin Bassey’s departure.

Alfredo Morelos joined Rangers from HJK Helsinki in 2017 under Pedro Caixinha. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

The head coach added: “We lost some players in the window and bought some. I’m really happy with the squad at the moment and everyone is working really hard to be ready for Saturday and all the games we will have after that.”