Rangers are considering a swoop for Finnish youngster Kai Meriluoto, according to a report in the player’s homeland.
The 19-year-old star plays for HJK Helsinki - the same club the Ibrox side recruited Alfredo Morelos from five years ago - but is currently on loan at fellow Veikkausliiga side Ilves Tampere. Meriluoto is also a Finnish youth international.
Finnish outlet MTV Uutiset claim that the front man is on the Govan club’s radar as Giovanni van Bronckhorst looks to bolster his striking options. Antonio Colak’s £2.5million move from PAOK is getting closer, but more depth will be needed up top, especially with Morelos in the final year of his contract.
The Colombian moved from Helsinki in 2017 for a fee of around £1million and has become the main man for Rangers in attack. Despite several flashpoints over the years, El Bufalo has scored consistently, especially on the European stage and now has a number of suitors from across Europe.
It therefore makes sense for Rangers to return to the Finnish market in the hopes of unearthing more unknown gems to develop. They did similar last season with the capture of Morelos’ compatriot Juan Alegria from Honka, who was signed initially for the B team. After three goals in two appearances for the Lowland League outfit, he was loaned to Partick Thistle for the remainder of the season.
Meriluoto has six goals in 11 games so far this season. At 6 feet tall, he cuts a different physical figure from Morelos and would add more height to the front line after the departure of Swiss flop Cedric Itten.
The Finn wouldn’t arrive as a regular first team starter and would likely have to bide his time between the bench and B team appearances. But a younger forward option wouldn't be the worst addition after Rory Wilson was poached by Aston Villa.
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