Rangers handed Joe Gelhardt transfer boost as Hull City eye Reyes Cleary swoop
Rangers appear increasingly well-placed to win the race to sign Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt this summer.
The 23-year-old is currently out on loan in the English Championship with Hull City, where he has notched 13 goals and four assists from the wide and attacking midfield roles this season.
The Gers have identified Gelhardt as a player who is capable of improving their squad this summer, but they are set to face serious competition from several English clubs, including Hull, who have already made it clear that they would like to sign him permanently.
Gelhardt is unlikely to be part of Leeds’ plans if they survive in the Premier League at the end of the season, meaning that the door is likely to be open for either another loan move or even a permanent switch.
Rangers’ transfer plans have seen the youngster identified as a clear target, and events elsewhere could now be set to give them a welcome boost towards a deal.
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VISIT THE RANGERS TRANSFER HUBHull City eye Joe Gelhardt alternative
Hull haven’t hidden their desire to keep Gelhardt in recent weeks, with manager Sergej Jakirovic extremely complimentary about the impact that he has made at the MKM Stadium.
However, they may now have switched their focus towards an alternative target to play off their main striker next season.
| Stats | Gelhardt Total |
| Apps (Starts) | 35 (31) |
| G/A | 17 |
| Chances Created | 29 |
| Shots on Target | 35 |
| Successful Dribbles | 45 |
| Big Chances Missed | 7 |
The Tigers are showing a “keen interest” in signing Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary this summer, according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon account.
Cleary has been a standout performer in the division below Hull, and it is understood that Barnsley could be ready to sell him this summer.
Hull’s pursuit of Cleary will be music to the ears of Rangers, as Hull are surely highly unlikely to splash out on both him and Gelhardt ahead of next season.
The West Yorkshire outfit are likely their biggest competition when it comes to landing Gelhardt, given his successful loan stint this term, so to see them lining up an alternative target will surely serve as a big boost at Ibrox.
Doubts raised over Rangers’ chances of Gelhardt deal
Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider on Sunday that Rangers would be fortunate to sign Gelhardt this summer, given the level of competition that they are set to face.
The Scottish businessman expects that he will leave Leeds for “serious money” this summer, and added that he thinks it is more likely that he will continue his career in England for the next few years at least.
He acknowledged that Gelhardt would be an exciting option for Rangers and definitely a player who would be “worth the gamble,” but he was also clear that it could be a difficult deal for them to strike.
However, Rangers will surely not be put off by that, as they aim to put plans in place to strengthen their hand again ahead of next term.
They may even secure Champions League football for 2026-27, which would take their finances to a new level altogether.
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