Ciaran Morrison

Sun 12 April 2026 8:00, UK

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Rangers would be fortunate to beat rival clubs to the signing of Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt this summer.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who believes Gelhardt will remain in English football.

The 23-year-old has been a key player on loan at Championship side Hull City this season, scoring 13 goals in 34 league appearances.

Hull may look to sign Gelhardt permanently if they achieve promotion to the Premier League, with a departure from Elland Road on the cards in the transfer window.

Rangers will keep backing Danny Rohl in the market, and their ties with Leeds, via 49ers Enterprises’ ownership of both clubs, could put them at an advantage if they wished to sign Gelhardt.

Rangers would ‘love’ to sign Joe Gelhardt

Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Rangers are more likely to sign Joel Piroe from Leeds over Gelhardt.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness though thinks Gelhardt could be “worth a gamble.”

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think he’s going to probably go further in England.

“I don’t believe he’s going to be a Rangers’ target. Rangers would love him if they could get him. But he’s going to go further in England.

“He may go for some cash for Leeds, some serious money. And he may be worth a gamble from somebody who’s looking at him, but we’ll see.

“Piroe is the one that would go between the groups right now. If Rangers were to get Gelhardt, they’d be very lucky. He’s probably the better choice of the two, but Leeds may look to move him elsewhere.” 

Rangers set stance on selling Youssef Chermiti

Gelhardt’s potential arrival at Rangers could be to replace Youssef Chermiti at the club, who has yet to live up to his £10million price tag.

The 21-year-old could have left Ibrox in the January transfer window, and PSV are the latest club to hold an interest in the striker.

Sources have told Football Insider that Rangers would consider selling Chermiti, if they were to make a sizeable profit from any deal.

Any profit could boost the Gers’ transfer plans, after the club’s ownership announced their intentions to raise £16m in the form of a new share issue.