{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Aston Villa tipped to look into Alfredo Morelos free transfer amid Rangers development - BBC pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alfredo Morelos is likely to be on Aston Villa’s transfer shortlist this summer with a free transfer from Rangers on the cards, according to Alan Hutton.
TEAMtalk reported on 3 April that Morelos, 26, is a target for the Villans with his contract at Ibrox due to expire at the end of the season.
Turkish news website Takvim also claimed on 29 March that Villa, as well as Galatasaray, are keen on the hot-headed Colombia international.
Ollie Watkins has been tearing it up at Villa Park this season but young Colombian Jhon Duran is Unau Emery’s only other striker option as it stands.
Hutton expects a new centre-forward to be brought in over the summer and while he doubts Morelos will head to Villa Park, he admits the Rangers striker is likely on a list in the West Midlands.
“With Danny Ings leaving and Jhon Duran coming in, they still need another striker so I’m sure Unai Emery is looking for one,” Hutton told Villa News.
“Would he take Morelos? I’m not sure – I’m honestly not sure.
“I think on recent performances, although he has stepped up, he’s still not back to his full capability.
“You need to weigh it up because as a free transfer, there’s not really any risk there. Yes, you pay the wages but there’s no risk with a big fee. They might look at that.
“He’s probably on Villa’s list of targets but I wouldn’t say he’s their number one.
“We’ll have to wait and see but I’d personally be interested to see if Morelos does go down to the Premier League. It’ll be interesting to see if he can cope.”
Morelos has scored 10 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions for Rangers this season.
Since joining the Scottish Premiership side from HJK Helsinki in 2017, he’s become the Glasgow club’s top goalscorer in Europe, reached a Europa League and won the league title.
In other Aston Villa news, the club’s academy staff have been slammed over a Phil Foden nickname.