What happened to Alfredo Morelos? Rangers cult hero sees Santos hit the fear over multiple red flags

Former Rangers standout Alfredo Morelos is facing a fresh battle to win hearts and minds at Santos after a hellish week for the much-maligned striker.

The 27-year-old has toiled since swapping Scotland for Brazil and the bad vibes continue to emanate from a football-daft club who proudly call Pele and Neymar their own. The Colombia international – not selected by his national team for three years – appears on the brink of Santos planning a farewell.

Reports of Morelos' end game in Brazil have been rumbling for months, however, two key events over the past week appear to paint a bleak picture for El Bufalo. And the rain clouds gathered around Morelos when he was overlooked from the bench during a chastening 2-1 defeat to Botafogo despite being the only attacking option in reserve. And, perhaps, more alarmingly is a breaking report in Brazil that states boss Fabio Carille remains a doubter about Morelos as his absence continues. Carille – according to Diariodopeixe – has similar concerns over veteran Willian Bigode.

Morelos' recent run of underwhelming form sees no signs of abating with Santos facing a proper battle to gain promotion back to the Brazilian top flight. And it's a familiar tale of woe that rings true with Rangers punters who watched his Ibrox career fizzle before he left as a free agent.

It’s a far cry from his game-changing pomp under Steven Gerrard. And it's a rejuvenation project which will be needed for both Morelos and Santos – but will it be together? The jury remains out.