The Dutchman is on the Ibrox side’s radar if a move for Ryan Naderi fails to materialise
Joel Piroe of Leeds United (Image: Getty Images)
Rangers target Joel Piroe has told his Leeds United bosses he wants to stay and fight for a first team place at Elland Road.
Record Sport understands the Ibrox club have been lining up a last minute raid on Elland Road for the Dutchman – if a £2.6m move for Hansa Rostock’s frontman Ryan Naderi can’t be completed before Monday night’s transfer deadline. But sources close to Piroe are adamant that the 26-year-old has not given up on winning a regular starting place under Daniel Farke between now and the end of the Premier League season.
The striker has made just 12 appearances so far this term and we can reveal that Spanish outfit Real Betis and Italian Serie A side Como have also expressed an interest in luring him out of Yorkshire. But Rangers are almost certain to be at the front of any queue given that both clubs are part of the San Francisco 49ers stable.
Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe also sits on the Ibrox board as vice chairman to owner Andrew Cavenagh. Earlier this month it was reported that the English top flight club laughed off an approach from Celtic to enquire about a potential loan move for the player.
Marathe may yet pull rank in order to make sure that Piroe agrees to an 11th hour move north of the border but to the other side of Glasgow. But the player still has 18 months left to run on his contract after a £12m switch from Swansea in 2023.
Joel Piroe of Leeds United celebrates
Rangers are also still in talks over a permanent deal for No.1 target Naderi despite suggestions that the proposed deal has collapsed. It’s understood Hansa Rostock could yet be prepared to give the deal their blessing after previously pressing the pause button on negotiations.
Sources close to the talks believed it was all but dead and buried on Wednesday but the Germans have organised urgent internal discussions over a late change of position. To further complicate matters, Belgian big timers Brugge are also monitoring Naderi’s situation and may attempt to hijack the move if Hansa do give his sale the green light.
But Record Sport understands the initial Ibrox offer remains the most lucrative offer on the table. Rangers boss Danny Rohl has freed up a space for a new attacker by allowing Brazilian striker Danilo to sign for Dutch club NEC Nijmegen on a loan deal until the end of the season.
It’s understood the former Feyenoord man has already travelled back to Holland to finalise his return to the Eredivisie. But his exit leaves Rangers one man short for the second half of a three way title battle and Rohl remains confident that will an agreement can still be thrashed out with either Naderi or Piroe.