Rangers Exclusive: Joe Gelhardt makes Leeds exit decision

Joe Gelhardt is keen to leave Leeds United in search of first-team football in the January transfer window amid links with a move to Rangers.

That is according to former Man United chief scout and Sir Alex Ferguson number two Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Gers are keeping a close eye on the forward’s situation.

This comes after Football Insider revealed on 30 November that the Scottish side will face competition from Championship sides in their race to land the 22-year-old.

However, Brown has suggested that Rangers’ regular participation in Europe could give them the edge to move ahead of English sides for his signature.

Gelhardt is interested in leaving Elland Road after playing just 72 minutes of football across all competitions so far this season.

He has fallen behind Mateo Joseph, Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford in the pecking order and has struggled to make an impact in his limited minutes under Daniel Farke.

As a result, he could push for a move away in January, and Rangers are poised to swoop if he does become available.

Rangers poised to swoop for Joe Gelhardt after Leeds twist

Sources have told Football Insider that Leeds are still weighing up whether to let Gelhardt leave on loan or on a permanent deal and will make a decision before the window opens.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment including over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the promise of regular game time would tempt the forward north of the border.

“Rangers are having to look at different sorts of players now,” he told Football Insider.

“You wouldn’t have thought previously they’d be after a player who can’t get in the Leeds team, but that’s their reality at the moment.

“Joe Gelhardt is a talented player, he had a very good reputation a couple of years ago.

“But he’s struggled to make much of an impact or to kick on there.

“He’s not been playing regularly for Leeds, and from what I’m told, he’d be interested in a move.

“As far as Rangers are concerned, that’s the type of player they have to be looking at.

“If Leeds let him go in January, even if it’s only on loan, they will be ready to swoop.

“They’re not the only club interested, but they’ll back themselves to win that race.

“They play in Europe as well, whether it’s the Champions League, Europa League, or even the Conference League, which is always a draw for players.“

In other news, Rangers are “looking at very clever loan signings” in January.

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The post Rangers Exclusive: Joe Gelhardt makes Leeds exit decision appeared first on Football Insider.