Rangers receive transfer update on Leeds United striker linked in January as key advantage revealed
Rangers have received a significant transfer update ahead of the summer window
Rangers have received a transfer update surrounding Leeds United striker Joel Piroe, with January links resurfacing regarding the forward ahead of the summer window.
The Gers were looking to sign a striker in the winter window, ultimately bringing in Hansa Rostock frontman Ryan Naderi on deadline day for £4.7million. The 22-year-old made the step up from the third tier of German football and has already bagged two goals and two assists for his new employers.
The Glasgow giants are four points behind leaders Hearts after 28 games and were aggrieved not to come from 2-0 down to earn all three points at Livingston on Sunday, as a controversial challenge on Mikey Moore in stoppage time went unpunished with the scores back level. Rangers are currently working on securing a second loan deal with Tottenham Hotspur for the 18-year-old this summer.
Another Premier League target might be edging closer to a summer move according to latest reports.
Joel Piroe update amid Rangers transfer links
According to reports by Football Insider, Piroe may find himself ‘forced out’ of Leeds United this summer and made to seek a move elsewhere.
The 26-year-old Dutchman has not been given many first-team opportunities in the Premier League this season following Leeds’ promotion, and a summer exit may become a probability if the Whites remain in the top flight, which is looking ‘increasingly likely’.
Piroe scored 19 times in the Championship last season as Leeds won the title but was subject to January interest from both Rangers and Celtic after earning just two league starts this term. But the Yorkshire side blocked all mid-season advances in the desire of keeping their squad together until the end of the season in hope of beating the drop.
But they will look to strengthen again this summer, meaning Piroe will be pushed further down the pecking order and a summer move may become a reality.
Rangers have one key advantage in Piroe race
Sources have told Football Insider that Rangers’ interest in Piroe is likely to rear its head once again at the end of the campaign – and they could have one key advantage over rival suitors from the EFL Championship, where the Leeds striker is viewed as a reliable goalscorer.
This advantage comes in the shape of Rangers’ 49ers Enterprises ownership, which they share with Leeds as both clubs are run by the NFL giants. Paraag Marathe is both chairman of Leeds, and vice-chair of the Gers at the moment. The close links between the two clubs are expected to play a role if Rangers come back in for Piroe, who wasn’t allowed to leave in January but could depart Elland Road this summer.