Leeds United star has 'real opportunity' to make Rangers transfer reality as permanent deal chances assessed

Rangers are in pole position to sign Leeds United frontman Joe Gelhardt in the January window after the player revealed his transfer preference amid growing interest.

The 22-year-old has been handed just two first-team outings in the EFL Champions this season and has fallen behind Joel Piroe, Mateo joseph and Patrick Bamford in the pecking order at Elland Road under manager Daniel Farke.

Gelhardt has found opportunities limited at the Yorkshire club in the last two years and ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who remains well connected at the club, has explained why he believes a move to Rangers would present “a real opportunity” for both parties.

Glasgow giants Rangers are among a list of clubs to have been credited with loan interest in the striker with the likes of Preston North End, portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle also linked. However, Football Insider report that former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown is aware that Gelhardt is keen to make the switch north of the border when the January window opens.

Gelhardt signed for leeds in the summer of 2020 from Wigan Athletic and was initially consigned to the under-23s. He proved a free-scoring revelation for the Whites at youth level and that form earned him a promotion into the senior set-up ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

He then fell out of favour under Jesse Marsch and was shipped out on loan to Sunderland as Leeds were relegated from the Premier League and has been a bit-part player at the Yorkshire side ever since.

Now, the Gers are keen to end his Elland Road nightmare and handing him the chance to play regular football in Govan. Robinson explained that Cyriel Dessers and Danilo have not found the net often enough this season, which will lead the club to dip into the transfer market for new attackers.

Robinson, who played over 100 times for Leeds during his time at the club, insists the move could be either on loan or permanent, with both clubs yet to decide what would suit them best.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Joe Gelhardt, that’s a real opportunity. From the player’s perspective, he’s not really been in the squad and hasn’t got many first-team minutes.

“For Rangers in their financial situation, he’s not going to cost them a fortune. In Dessers and Danilo, they’ve not really got the goals they’ve needed this year, so to give a younger striker the chance…

“Basically what I’m saying in, Joe Gelhardt to Rangers is a doable deal in January, whether that be a permanent deal or on loan.”