The predatory free transfer strikers that could fill Rangers' Jermain Defoe void

With Alfredo Morelos looking razor-sharp and Kamar Roofe waiting in the wings, most pundits thought there was enough firepower at Ibrox to cope with the veteran's departure.

However, the team struggled in front of goal at times domestically, ultimately scoring 12 less over the season than rivals Celtic. 

And with Morelos suffering a serious thigh injury and Roofe struggling with knocks, Giovanni van Bronckhorst had to get creative with his forward options.

Joe Aribo was deployed as a false nine in Europe but, a Europa League final goal aside, he lacks the killer instinct and predator instincts in the box that Rangers require, particularly in the Scottish Premiership.

Morelos only netted 11 times in the league last season with Roofe one behind, and while the pair missed a fair chunk of the season, there's no doubt Rangers will need more next term to win the title back at the first time of asking.

In the absence of the now-retired Defoe, Rangers should be looking at a similarly experienced poacher to fill the void he left. Someone who knows the way to goal and thrives on scoring but won't demand to start every game with two top-class forwards already on the books.

Of course, those players who deliver cutting edge generally cost an arm and a leg but there are many vastly experienced strikers who are out of contract this summer and may just fancy a twilight season or two with the Europa League finalists.

We’ve compiled a list of potential candidates who are available for nothing.

Danny Welbeck

Age: 31 | Previous club: Brighton

The England cap is available on a free this summer after two seasons at the Seagulls. His previous injury woes appear to be behind him as he’s featured 24 times in the Premier League in each of his last two campaigns.

He netted five goals in the league last term and helped Graham Potter’s men to a ninth-placed finish, their highest ever placing in the top flight.

Welbeck can also offer versatility, with the ability to play across the front three if required.

Like the majority of the players compiled on this list, it remains to be seen if he’d be happy coming off the bench most weeks given Morelos is likely to continue leading the line but he is someone who would certainly add quality and depth to the squad.

At 31, he still has plenty to offer and may be still able to command a significant wage in an elite league.

Fabio Quagliarella

Age: 39 | Previous club: Sampdoria

The veteran Italian has just ended a six-year stay with the Genoa-based side.

Despite turning 39 in January, he played 33 games in Serie A last season netting four goals with a further two scored in the Coppa Italia. Despite the low return last term, like Defoe, he is someone who has a predatory instinct in front of goal honed over decades at the top.

He boasts a physicality and aerial ability that would make him a handful for SPFL defences while he's nabbed 236 goals in a career that has seen him pit his wits against some of the best defenders world football has to offer.

Given he is in the twilight of his career then you would imagine he’d have no qualms about being an impact sub for most of his time at Ibrox should he be persuaded to leave his beloved Serie A for a year in Govan.

READ MORE: Why new Rangers arrival John Souttar's Scotland's outing demonstrated perfect fit

Sebastian Giovinco

Age: 35 | Previous club: Sampdoria

Quagliarella’s teammate at Sampdoria is also available this summer. The Italian only joined the club in February on a short-term deal to fill the void left by the injured Manolo Gabbiadini.

He only featured twice in Serie A but he is someone who may just fancy a crack at playing for the Europa League finalists with the prospect of Champions League football.

Unlike Quagliarella, Giovinco is diminutive, tricky and has a quick burst of pace.

The former Juventus man has spent much of his career playing as a second striker and creating chances for his teammates not to mention he’s a dead ball specialist.

As much as he’s a good finisher, he’s not a prolific goalscorer with his career marked by the spectacular rather than the mundane.

Cenk Tosun

Age: 31 | Previous club: Everton

The burly Turk was one of three Toffees players shown the door last week despite being bought for a reported £27m from Besiktas in 2018.

There's no sugar-coating that Tosun struggled in England. He was loaned out to Crystal Palace in January 2020 before suffering an ACL injury the following March. He returned to Besiktas, where he had previously been prolific, on loan in January 2021 before suffering another knee injury.

He scored just nine goals over 50 appearances across five years so the jury is out whether he could improve his record if playing in Scotland and, crucially, if he could steer clear of injury.

On a free, it may be worth a punt based on his quality. 

Carlos Bacca

Age: 35 | Previous club: Granada

Now, wouldn’t this be a mouthwatering partnership, a Colombian front two of Morelos and Bacca. 

He was a powerhouse of a striker in his heyday when he starred for the likes of Sevilla, AC Milan and Villarreal.

Carlos Bacca celebrates after scoring against Rangers in the Europa League in 2018

It’s with the Yellow Submarine that he netted superbly within a minute against Rangers in their opening Europa League group game back in 2018.

He had a relatively disappointing campaign last season, he only scored once in the Copa Del Rey while he failed to score in 13 games in La Liga but he would be afforded more chances than Granada are ever likely to create should he move to Ibrox.

Artem Dzyuba

Age: 33 | Previous club: Zenit

The big Russian targetman could be an attractive option for Rangers this summer after he ended his seven-year stay with Zenit last month during which time he won four league titles in a row.

With 108 goals in 249 games, he's got a decent record in front of goal and nabbed 11 goals in 28 league appearances last season.

It’s not yet clear if he will remain in his homeland or look for a challenge abroad but he's a proper targetman, the kind of which you rarely see nowadays.

In terms of the Scottish Premiership, he has the physicality and killer instinct inside the penalty box to be a roaring success. Scotland defenders couldn't get near him in a 4-0 defeat in Russia back in 2019 as he rag-dolled Michael Devlin and Charlie Mulgrew on his way to a deserved double.

At 6ft 4, he's built like a proverbial outhouse and would have no issues adapting to the rough and tumble of the SPFL.

READ MORE: Don't be concerned by Rangers' quiet transfer rumour mill - Four Lads Had A Dream

Burak Yilmaz

Age: 36 | Previous club: Lille

The vastly-experienced Turkish striker seems a perfect Jermain Defoe replacement on paper.

In his first season with Lille in 2020/21, he netted 16 goals in Ligue 1, blasting them to an unlikely title ahead of PSG.

The numbers slowed with only five goals in 29 appearances last season though. That said, his form was better at the very highest level. He also netted three times in his seven Champions League appearances last term as well as bagging six goals in 10 matches for Turkey in World Cup qualifying so he still has the ability to play on the big stage.

Fellow Ligue 1 side Reims are said to be in talks about signing Yilmaz but a deal has yet to be finalised.

He's certainly someone who would add power and an eye for goal to Rangers if he fancied a move to Scotland.

Matej Vydra

Age: 30 | Previous club: Burnley

The Czech Republic striker was close to joining Rangers on loan back in January 2020 under Steven Gerrard but the move fell through.

He is now a free agent and with Burnley being relegated to the English Championship, it may be the time to pick up a bargain.

The notable downside is the fact he is out of action until November after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

There have been murmurings he may sign a new deal with the Clarets but as yet no deal has been struck.

With just two goals in 22 Premier League games last season, he is hardly prolific but Burnley were woeful throughout and didn't exactly provide great service.