Rangers will be linked with numerous players this summer with a pattern emerging regarding those approaching the end of their contracts.
It might push the wage bill higher, however, it is a commonsense approach that allows money to be invested into the squad elsewhere and potentially on priority targets who are under contract.
One player who was reported to be on Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen’s radar in January will soon be able to head to Ibrox for free in a position that Rangers need quality.
Rangers get another chance to pick up Steven Alzate bargain deal
Steven Alzate is a Colombia international who is currently at Brighton until the 30 of June when his contract ends and will be released, as reported by Andy Naylor, the club’s reporter for The Athletic.
The 25-year old midfielder was highly rated in his early days on the south coast and also impressed on loan at Standard Liege where he was a teammate of Nicolas Raskin.
Doubts about his fitness have been shelved and his dip in form in the second half of the season can be attributed to the uncertainty of his future – although that isn’t an excuse.
Speaking earlier this season, former Belgium boss Marc Wilmots was full of praise for a player who is a ready made replacement for the now departed John Lundstram:
“He’s the engine. He’s the one who puts the pressure on. For him the ball is a friend. He asks for the ball. He clears up the game. He plays with two touches of the ball. He brings the ball to life. He finds the intervals and plays vertically. He brought calm.”
Graham Potter is a fan, as is former Brighton striker Glenn Murray, both highlighting Alzate’s ability on the ball and mentality when choosing his passes.
Alzate could be Steven Davis 2.0
On paper, Alzate sounds and appears to be closer to Steven Davis in terms of how he played the number six role.
Even if it was safe possession, the ball was still moved first time and the Hall of Fame legend seemed to always be trying to move opposition players around so that he could create space elsewhere.
It is this level of game intelligence that Rangers need in the middle of the park and Alzate ticks a lot of boxes.
Clement and Koppen will both be aware of Alzate from their respective times in Belgium and the interest in January didn’t come from nowhere.
At the time, respected journalist Sacha Tovolieri confirmed that Rangers were keeping an eye on Steven Alzate’s position but that other areas of the park were a priority.
Now, with no obstacles or doubts about his fitness, the manager and his recruitment chief won’t get a better chance to land a £7m playmaker for free.
