Rangers have “retained interest” in a Leeds United star this summer, with the shared 49ers Enterprises ownership between Ibrox and Elland Road tipped to be the key that unlocks a deal.
Multiple Leeds players are on Rangers’ radar, but two names keep surfacing: striker Joe Gelhardt and Dutch forward Joel Piroe.
Sources say the 49ers’ dual-ownership “facilitates potential talks and could hand the Scottish giants an advantage” in any transfer race.
Rangers view Piroe as a “potential solution to their goalscoring issues”, with manager Danny Rohl “very much keen on a deal” despite being knocked back by the striker in January.
A summer permanent move is the most discussed outcome, though Rangers “have multiple targets and are focused on players with the right mentality”.
Piroe, 26, fired 19 goals in the Championship last season to help Leeds win promotion, but has struggled for Premier League minutes and is yet to score in the top flight. Leeds, who have a year left on his deal plus an option to 2028, are understood to be seeking £8m-£10m — a slight loss on their £13m outlay but realistic given his limited game time.
Meanwhile, Joe Gelhardt is also firmly on the radar. The 23-year-old has been “excellent” on loan at Hull City, scoring 13 goals in 34 Championship games this season. Rangers are “tracking the forward” and former Man United chief scout Mick Brown says the 49ers link “will be helpful” because “it makes negotiations between the clubs that much easier”.
Leeds are “prepared to let him go” for £3m-£5m, with Gelhardt open to a permanent Elland Road exit. The forward has been dubbed “one of the signings of the season” at Hull and Rangers see him as ideal for Danny Rohl’s front line.
With Paraag Marathe now less hands-on at Leeds following the Rangers takeover, the Ibrox side could exploit the 49ers connection to beat Middlesbrough and others to Piroe, while also landing Gelhardt.
One thing’s clear: the 49ers bridge between Leeds and Rangers means business this summer — and an Elland Road star could soon be heading to Glasgow.
