Oliver Antman finished at Rangers as Ibrox scouts eye Leeds star Joe Gelhardt, permanent move could be on
Oliver Antman is set to see his place in the squad put under serious threat if Rangers secure the signing of Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt this summer.
The 23-year-old has caught the eye during a loan spell with Hull City this season, and the Gers are now interested in signing him this summer, according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon account.
The Glasgow giants share the same 49ers ownership as their Premier League counterparts at Elland Road, and it is expected that either a loan deal or a purchase could be on the table for them this summer.
Gelhardt has found it hard to establish himself in the first team at Leeds in recent years, and that could be the case once again next season if they remain in the Premier League.
Rangers want new additions to strengthen their hand even further in the summer, but that could have huge implications for the likes of Antman.
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VISIT THE RANGERS TRANSFER HUBRangers to cash in on Oliver Antman to fund Joe Gelhardt pursuit
Rangers have already been doing their due diligence on Gelhardt with a view to making a move for him this summer, as Nixon has already reported that Ibrox scouts have been “tracking” him in recent weeks.
Danny Rohl and Co. have already identified him as a target to improve their attacking options for next season, and it is clear that his 17 Championship goal involvements have caught the eye.
| Antman | Stats | Gelhardt |
| 13 (6) | Apps (Starts) | 33 (30) |
| 3 | G/A | 17 |
| 0.48 | Goals + Assists per 90 | 0.63 |
| 3.01 | Chances Created per 90 | 0.99 |
| 1.11 | Shots on Target per 90 | 1.25 |
| 1.74 | Successful Dribbles per 90 | 1.62 |
However, with the Gers already well-stocked for attacking players who can play in wide or attacking midfield roles, any move for Gelhardt would surely have to see at least one star head in the other direction.
Mikey Moore’s likely return to Tottenham will free up some space, but Antman is surely the next prime candidate to be sold.
He hasn’t started a single Scottish Premiership game since 30 November, and it is clear that Rohl doesn’t fancy him, despite the club shelling out an initial £3million to get him last summer.
If the chance arose to recoup some of that cash this summer, then Rangers would surely take it and use it to help them fund a deal for Gelhardt in his place.
Antman has endured a torrid time in Scotland so far, and a move for another attacking player would surely finish him off for good.
Danny Rohl to be more receptive to summer Antman sale
Football Insider revealed back in January that further attacking reinforcements at Rangers could have seen Antman depart, after the club confirmed the arrival of Andreas Skov Olsen.
While Rohl was reluctant to trim any of his depth options in the middle of the season, it could be a totally different story this summer, when he has the time to mould the squad in his image without the pressure of an ongoing title race.
Attacking additions will see competition for places ramp up again at Ibrox, and given that Antman has been unable to force his way into the manager’s plans recently, that would be unlikely to change for next season.
He has undoubtedly been unlucky with some of the injuries that he has sustained since his move from Go Ahead Eagles, but it cannot be argued that his signing has been good value for money so far.
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