Report: Player linked with Rangers and Celtic subject to offer of £9m and 159-goal striker

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A player linked with Glasgow Rangers and Celtic is reportedly the subject of a bid from one of Saudi Arabia’s top clubs in what could prove a blow for both Ibrox and Parkhead.

Caleb Ekuban of Trabzonspor has been tipped to replace Alfredo Morelos at Rangers, according to Turkish outlet Fotospor, while Ghanasoccernet reckons Celtic are also in pursuit of the player.

The Ghana international has experience of playing in Britain, having been on the books of English side Leeds United up until last summer before joining Trabzonspor for £900,000, as reported by Sabah.

Ekuban has scored eight goals and registered six assists in 25 appearances in all competitions this season.

His exploits have helped Trabzonspor remain in contention for the Super Lig title, currently sitting top of the table on 53 points, level with Istanbul Basaksehir.

However, club president Ahmet Agaoglu has made it clear than no offers less than £9million would be considered (Fotomac) and one side has seemingly stepped up to the plate.

Now, it has been reported that Saudi giants Al-Ahli are planning a £9million player-plus-cash bid – the player in question being Syria international Omar Al Somah – for the Black Stars man.

Al-Ahli coach Vladan Milojevic is said to be keen on signing the former Chievo Verona hitman when the transfer window opens, according to GhanaSoccerNet.

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Ekuban has bounced back superbly from his underwhelming spell at Leeds to become Trabzonspor’s key man and has put them in contention for a title they last won in 1984 and has since effectively been subject to a triopoly between Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, except for Bursaspor’s triumph in 2010.

However, £9million for a player who is yet to get in double figures for the season in a fairly modest league seems a bit steep, considering Celtic paid that much to sign the prolific Odsonne Edouard, while Morelos reportedly cost Rangers a mere £1million.

Al-Ahli’s reported bid not only matches the club’s price tag but, by also throwing into the deal a player whose club tally stands at a gargantuan 159 goals in 172 appearances, it looks extremely unlikely that Rangers and Celtic could match such an offer.