Rangers have Alfredo Morelos’ situation ‘hanging over them’ ahead of the January transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Colombia international has entered the final year of his £33,000-per-week contract and could depart on a free transfer next summer if he isn’t sold in the winter or puts pen to paper on fresh terms.

What is the latest news involving Morelos?

Morelos has been crucial to Rangers’ success since arriving from HJK Helsinki back in 2017, leading to him being labelled "unreal", but his time with the club could be drawing to a conclusion.

The 26-year-old was a surprise omission from the Glasgow giants’ crucial Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven recently due to fitness and attitude concerns, although manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has insisted he can redeem himself.

“I sat down with him before we went to Eindhoven and I said before in a press conference that Alfredo, if he wants to come back, needs to do things differently, and that is what he is doing at the moment,” said the 47-year-old tactician.

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“For me, it is the case of sitting with him in the next days and talk to him about his future. But he still has a future with us, he is still a Rangers player.”

Since then, Morelos has clearly impressed Van Bronckhorst in training and even started against Napoli last time out, yet his long-term future remains firmly up in the air.

What has O’Rourke said about Morelos?

In an interview with GiveMeSport, O’Rourke said: “They've always had the Morelos situation hanging over them; whether he would stay or go.

“So, if he doesn't sign a new contract, there's going to have to be a decision made on him in January, otherwise he could maybe leave on a free transfer.

“But I think for Rangers, they’ve obviously had a sticky patch of form recently with some heavy defeats, but I'm sure there's enough quality in that squad for them to bounce back and get back to winning ways.”

How well has Morelos been playing?

Morelos has only racked up 175 minutes of action across all competitions this season, scoring just one goal, but his overall performance levels over the last year have been impressive.

As per FBref, the 5 foot 10 ace has ranked in the 94th percentile for completed dribbles, 92nd for non-penalty expected goals and total shots, 91st for interceptions, and 90th for clearances amongst his positional peers for the last 12 months.

Losing Morelos would be a bitter blow for Rangers, therefore, but losing him on a free transfer would be an extremely hard pill to swallow for everyone associated with the club.