LYLE TAYLOR remains on the radar of Glasgow giants Rangers following strong speculation that head coach Steven Gerrard is resigned to losing his star striker Alfredo Morelos.

The Montserrat captain, who was released by recently relegated Charlton at the end of June, could step into the boots of 24-year-old Morelos and finally compete in the top tier for the first time in his checkered career.

Columbia international Morelos, who started the 1-0 victory against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on August 1 to kick-off the new season’s Scottish Premiership, could have made his final appearance for Rangers. French outfit Lille are in advanced negotiations for his signature for a reputed £17m transfer fee.

Hamstring

Gerrard, who had hotshot Taylor in his sights last month, will be super keen to add much-needed firepower if Morelos does leave, especially as his second-choice striker is 37-year-old Jermaine Defoe who’s currently sidelined sporting a hamstring injury.

And 30-year-old Taylor, who left Charlton just before they suffered relegation from the Championship last month, is one of just five candidates to sign for Rangers.

Rhian Brewster (Liverpool), Lyndon Dykes (Livingston), Josh Maja (Bordeaux, France), Ivan Toney (Peterborough United) as well as Taylor have all been discussed by the Rangers board as potential replacements for Morelos.

Golden Boot

England U21’s Brewster, loaned out to Swansea City for part of last season where he hit 10 Championship goals, is most unlikely to be back at Anfield so it seems his future lies elsewhere. However, the newly-crowned English Premier League (EPL) champions are reluctant to sell the 20-year-old, who was part of the U17 England squad that captured the 2017 FIFA World Cup in India and awarded the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s leading goalscorer. 

Flamboyant Australian Dykes, who is used to the perils of the Scottish top flight, has been the subject of two failed bids from Championship club Barnsley so he may not be for sale to a rival club.

Nigeria international Maja seems most likely to renew his partnership with David Moyes, as the West Ham head coach is believed to be considering a move for his former Sunderland star.

Massive gamble

And Toney, who only made two appearances – both in the EPL – for Newcastle United in four seasons before signing for Peterborough United in 2018 would be a massive gamble. The 24-year-old has not played higher than English League One for the past four seasons.

This leaves the gate wide open for veteran Taylor, whose dream of playing in top-flight football could become a reality by penning a deal with Rangers.

Taylor had been waiting for a potentially lucrative move to Istanbul-based Galastsaray to develop, but that went extremely quiet. It is believed that the Turkish team, regulars in the Champions League, may have been put off by the journeyman having kicked around the lower leagues throughout his career.

Leeds United, who secured promotion to the EPL as Championship title winners, have been tentatively linked with a move for Taylor. The frontman, who bagged 11 Championship goals before March’s break because of the coronavirus pandemic, may not be enough of a mega signing as the club are aiming high with a European berth their aim on a return to the EPL for the first time in a decade.

Although Taylor was high on the agenda of EPL promotion-chasing sides Nottingham Forest and Swansea City, his interest may have waned after the pair remained in the Championship for another season.

Top tier

Championship runners-up West Bromwich Albion, who did win promotion to the top tier, are also likely to be in the race to snap up Taylor before the new EPL kicks off on September 12.

And despite a string of Championship sides chomping at the bit to sign Taylor, the veteran is more interested in a shot of playing his club football at the highest level. It is Rangers who appear to be in pole position for Taylor’s signature but only once Morelos’ departure is confirmed.