Celtic see Leeds United transfer approach 'laughed off' as Rangers factor has 49ers floored over ace enquiry
Rangers are said to have played a factor in the stunned response to the Celtic enquiry at Leeds United.
Leeds United and the 49ers are said to have laughed at a Celtic enquiry for one of their players - amid their Rangers connection.
49ers Enterprises own the Premier League side and took charge at Ibrox last summer alongside Andrew Cavenagh. Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe is also vice chair at Rangers amid his key role with the 49ers, but that hasn’t stopped Celtic enquiring over a loan move for Leeds United striker Joel Piroe.
The Hoops are desperate for striker reinforcement and boss Martin O’Neill wants to see business done, but the link to a player at a club with strong Rangers connections did raise eyebrows. Now the Yorkshire Evening Post has claimed that the 49ers were left chuckling over the Celtic transfer enquiry but were left more shocked by the club’s lack of awareness over their links to their arch rivals.
What did 49ers think of Celtic transfer approach for Leeds United star
It’s claimed: “On Friday the YEP reported that reports north of the border that Celtic were in talks with Leeds over a loan move for Piroe were wide of the mark, for numerous reasons. Club sources have stressed throughout the January window that although Piroe has suitors in the Championship and abroad, he wants to stay and prove himself as a Premier League player and there is no attempt to force him out of Elland Road.
“What's more, a loan would be far less useful to Leeds than a permanent sale, which would be far more helpful with their Profitability and Sustainability position and their hopes of signing another targetman in the window.
“The YEP has learned however that Celtic did make the suggestion, which did not lead to talks but was laughed off in bemusement due to the Scottish club's apparent lack of appreciation for the relationship between 49ers Enterprises' two clubs. The question was raised if Celtic's suggestion was a serious one. Leeds and Rangers boast two entirely separate operations and two sets of decision makers when it comes to day-to-day business, but enjoy a close working relationship.
What is Paraag Marathe role at Rangers and Leeds United?
“49ers Enterprises supremo Paraag Marathe is chairman of Leeds and vice chairman of Rangers. The idea of him sanctioning the move of a player from one of his clubs to aid a direct title rival of his other club is a bizarre one - particularly because the suggestion was for a loan.
“While Celtic could match Piroe's wages, the same can be said for a number of Championship clubs, so if Marathe and Leeds wanted the striker off the books in a temporary move there would be other options open to them.”
O’Neill’s side face Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup fourth round on Sunday. Attentions then turn to a European clash with Bologna in the Europa League and then a huge match in the title race against league leaders Hearts at Tynecastle. They have suffered injury blows to midfielder Cammy Devlin and striker Lawrence Shankland.