Rangers transfer target Antonio Čolak could be the ideal replacement for Alfredo Morelos should the Colombian leave Ibrox this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
Last season’s UEFA Europa League finalists have been linked with a move for the PAOK striker this summer.
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What’s the latest on Čolak?
According to The Scottish Sun, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s first-choice target is the three-time Croatia international.
The same report suggests that the Gers had initially offered the Greek club £1.75m in a bid to bring Čolak to Ibrox, but have now upped their offer to £2m plus add-ons, with Van Bronckhorst desperate to get the deal over the line.
Čolak spent a proportion of last season on loan at Swedish giants Malmo, before returning to Greece ahead of the turn of the new year.
And O’Rourke believes that the striker could be the ideal replacement for Morelos, should the latter leave the club this summer.
What has O’Rourke said about Čolak?
He told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s scored goals and I'm sure you'd be pretty confident that he could score goals in Scotland as well.
“He’s somebody who could maybe step up and replace Morelos, if the Colombian does end up leaving Ibrox this summer.”
Will Čolak sign for Rangers?
Rangers fans will be delighted that the club are making a move for a striker this summer, with Van Bronckhorst’s side being significantly weaker when they don’t have their talisman in Morelos playing up top - indeed, the potential signing of Čolak has been described as “impressive” by Josh Bunting.
The 28-year-old striker made 37 appearances across spells with Malmo and PAOK last season, scoring eight goals and providing two assists, according to148 goals over his career.
Čolak is a competent passer of the ball as well as knowing where the back of the net is, ranking in the top 19% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues and European competition for pass completion rate per 90 minutes last season (75.9%) according to FBref.
The same stats provider also suggests that he is a hard working forward, ranking in the top 14% of forwards for pressures per 90 minutes over the last campaign (18.61).
Čolak might not have been the first name on Rangers fans lips ahead of this summer’s transfer window, and he might not be the most well-known prospect, but after showing that he has an impressive scoring record in Sweden, you would back him to transfer that to the Scottish Premiership, and for a price of £2m he’s almost a failsafe signing at such a cheap cost.