‘Rangers set to profit from Leeds partnership’ as player swap mooted
Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises are inching closer to a majority takeover at Rangers – raising questions over the birth of a potential multi-club partnership between the two giants.
Investment is much-needed at Ibrox after the Glasgow giants reported a £17.2million loss for the 2023-24 season back in October of last year.
Rangers have fallen behind rivals Celtic while Leeds are fighting for promotion to the Premier League after two years away from the top flight.
Hibernian and Hearts have both seen investment and new partnerships with the owners of Bournemouth and Brighton respectively in recent months.
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 – has lifted the lid on what a partnership between Rangers and Leeds could look like.
‘I expect Rangers and Leeds to be very close’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has insisted the partnership won’t be limited to player exchanges – with data and analysis methods also set to be shared between the two clubs.
Rangers sit second in the Scottish Premiership table but do face a Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao next month.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Celtic | 29 | 75 | 70 |
| 2 | Rangers | 29 | 59 | 33 |
Wyness insisted the Ibrox club “have a lot to learn and will benefit” from a partnership with Leeds.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “We’ve seen Bournemouth and Brighton come in with Hibs and Hearts.
“With Rangers and Leeds, it may not only come in terms of player exchanges – although there will be some of that.
“It will also be exchanging data and analysis methods, there’ll be a really close connection.
“The 49ers are at the cutting edge of that and sharing those tools, along with a new management and recruitment team, are the areas Rangers need to focus on.
“It’s as important as a new head coach.
“Once all that is in place, I expect Rangers and Leeds to be very close.
“Rangers have got a lot to learn and will benefit from that situation very well.”
Rangers owners bankroll £5m+ injection
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (12 March) that Rangers have received a £5.3million injection from their current owners in the form of a new share issue.
It comes after Rangers’ owners injected £3.6million into the club last month in a similar transaction.
Rangers have been the subject of intense takeover speculation over the past few weeks and the 49ers Enterprises-backed deal appears to be progressing.
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