Rangers boss Steven Gerrard admits he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to hold on to star striker Alfredo Morelos.
The Ibrox gaffer is desperate for the Colombian to stay in Glasgow and wants him to lead the line for Gers as they attempt to stop Celtic’s bid for 10-in-a-row.
But Gerrard says he might be powerless in his attempts to keep Morelos at the club if a suitable offer comes in.
Morelos, who Rangers value at around £20 million, has previously attracted interest from clubs in England, Spain and Qatar – but so far they’ve yet to receive a concrete bid for the 24-year-old.
This week, French side Rennes were also linked with a £15 million move for the front-man.
Gerrard is praying that his prize asset is still around to spearhead a title charge.
But when quizzed on Morelos’ future, the Rangers boss said: “Alfredo is a fantastic footballer.
“He scores goals in big volumes and I’m really looking forward to him getting match fit, up to speed and ready to play.
“But I suppose what you want me to say is, whether he will be here next year. That’s the million dollar question.
“I want all my best players here, I’ve said that many times.
“For us to be successful, we need our best players fit, available and out there on the pitch.
“But you and I know that every player has his price. Will we get bids for our best players? It’s quite possible.
“That’s something I can’t control, so it’s something we are just going to have to manage going forward.”
Morelos rattled in 29 goals last term for Rangers but hit a dry spell after the winter break when the team’s title challenge faltered badly.
He was outstanding in the club’s Europa League charge to the last 16, scoring goals against Midtjylland, Legia Warsaw, FC Porto, Feyenoord and Young Boys.
Another two red cards blotted his copybook – one in the Old Firm derby win over Celtic in December – but Gerrard hopes fatherhood will help mature Morelos.
In May, his wife Yesenia gave birth to their first baby girl, and Gerrard said: “We all send our congratulations to Alfredo.
“I know first hand that having a daughter in your life does change you. It matures you, of course it does.
“He looks absolutely delighted, you can see it right across his face. Everyone here is pleased for him.
“He’s back in the city now but he’s spending time with our medics as he has a couple of little issues. It’s nothing important, but he’s with the medical lads now and hopefully soon he’ll be back out there training with us.”
