Rangers set to sign £15.7m Benfica striker who Cyriel Dresser replaced at Ibrox

Rangers set to sign £15.7m Benfica striker who Cyriel Dresser replaced at Ibrox

As Alfredo Morelos gets back amongst the goals with Santos, the man who the ex-Rangers striker replaced is pulling up trees with Europa League foes Benfica.

Colombian firebrand Morelos, 27, now has two goals in three games for the Brazilian giants as they look to bounce back from the first relegation in their history at the first time of asking.

But as Rangers move on the Ibrox side may have to face the man whose boots Alfredo Morelos is trying to fill in Benfica striker Marcos Leonardo.

Signing the 20-year-old striker for a fee of around $20m (£15.7m) the Brazilian hitman is already proving his value in Portugal as he takes his first foray into European football.

Marcos Leonardo to face Rangers with Benfica Only joining Benfica in January,

Marcos Leonardo already has four goals for the Liga Portugal leaders and is one of several forwards Rangers will need to be aware of.

The Brazilian joins the likes of Angel di Maria, Rafa, Joao Mario, Arthur Cabral, David Neres,

and Casper Tengstedt in a squad of attacking talent at the Estadio de Luz.

It’s a forward line which flexed it’s muscles over the weekend but Rangers will fear no-one as they bid to make the Europa League quarter finals.

Marco Leonardo is just another hurdle for the Ibrox side to clear with the expensive price tag and hype surrounding the kid adding an extra edge to proceedings.

Coming off the bench in the decisive 2-1 home win over Toulouse,

this showing in Portugal remains Leonardo’s only appearance in the Europa League with a Round of 16 tie against Rangers on the horizon.

Gers will fancy Europa League chances Whilst Rangers are the “underdogs” in this Europa League tie by Philippe Clement’s own admission,

Benfica certainly aren’t unbeatable by any measure.

Having failed to get out a Champions League group at the expense of Real Sociedad and Inter Milan,

Rangers might fancy their chances against the Portuguese.

Philippe Clement has fostered a never-say-die attitude in the Ibrox ranks whilst the club’s defeat of Real Betis

and run to the 2022 Europa League Final in Seville will serve as Ibrox inspiration.

Marcos Leonardo or otherwise, Rangers will not fear the visit of Benfica in an enthralling Europa League tie which is anyone’s to call.

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