Rangers transfer news as Leeds United attacker Joe Gelhardt wanted at Ibrox in January
Rangers are interested in signing Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt during the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.
Simon Jones reported in the paper’s Transfer Confidential on 8 January that the out-of-favour attacker is also a target for Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Philippe Clement has already brought in Fabio Silva on loan from Wolves this month but has been widely expected to seek extensive improvements to his strike force.
Danilo is out injured long-term and both Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers have struggled since their summer arrivals, while Kemar Roofe can’t stay fit.
Revival
Gelhardt looked primed to be the next breakout star at Elland Road two years ago but has seen his progression stall after falling down the pecking order.
The 21-year-old has only made six league appearances in the English Championship this term, and has seen just a handful of minutes in the division since August.
So he certainly looks like he needs a move to get some regular game time, and with Rangers in need of attacking reinforcements a loan move would make a lot of sense on one hand.
But, as with Silva, he is not an out-and-out number nine and hasn’t been prolific in front of goal during his young career so far, with only five senior goals to his name.
He certainly has talent and an opportunity at Ibrox could be exactly what he needs after a frustrating past season and a half, but he won’t necessarily be the double-digit goal-scorer that this side looks like it needs.
A loan move to Sunderland last season proved a struggle after Ross Stewart, who he was slated to support in attack, was immediately ruled out with a serious injury, so it is possible he is viewed as a support option for Dessers.
With so much attention on Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland anyone without the same proven scoring record might be seen as an unsuitable alternative, but Rangers likely need to be creative this month to bolster the attack.
