‘Rangers will benefit from cut-price Leeds signings’ after 49ers twist
Rangers will benefit from cut-price deals to sign Leeds United players if 49ers Enterprises can complete their ongoing takeover at Ibrox.
That is according to former Man United chief scout and Sir Alex Ferguson number two Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that a multi-club structure could boost both sides.
Multi-club systems have been seen at the likes of Man City in recent years, while Brown recalled the link between Man United and Royal Antwerp during his spell at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Rangers and Leeds could enter into a multi-club partnership.
With Leeds looking set for promotion to the Premier League, Brown explained that a number of their squad players are not good enough for the top tier of English football.
Given the issues surrounding profit and sustainability rules for current Championship sides, it has been said they could cut ties with some of their squad players to raise funds.
That could allow Rangers to explore moves at prices potentially below market value, which would also allow Leeds to reinvest in their squad.
Rangers and Leeds to benefit from multi-club structure under 49ers
Brown told Football Insider that Rangers need to make four top signings amid concerns about their plans to adequately strengthen their squad to challenge Celtic.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that a link with Leeds would be an ideal option to secure some cheaper deals.
“Man United used to have links to a club in Belgium,” he told Football Insider.
“Royal Antwerp it was – they used to send young players out there to develop and gain experience.
“Generally speaking, it was beneficial to both clubs.
“More recently we’ve seen it with Man City where they own a few clubs all around the world.
“Every now and then you see a player move away from Man City for whatever price, and you’ve never heard of the player because they’ve been playing at one of their other clubs.
“As far as Leeds and Rangers are concerned, I think they could both benefit from it.
“Rangers’ team is well-below par at the moment, but where can they go to get better players given their current financial situation?
“On the other side of it, I think Leeds are by far the best team in the Championship and look certain to go up – but I don’t think their squad is Premier League level.
“There are a number of players there who won’t be good enough to make the step up, and Leeds could move them on to raise funds for PSR and FFP.
“Now if they have a link with Rangers, they could be given the opportunity to sign these players on the cheap.
“There’s a massive difference between being a good Championship player and a Premier League player – but Rangers would be improved by some of those types of players.“
49ers Enterprises eye Philippe Clement replacements at Ibrox
While 49ers Enterprises are expected to be key to the addition of new players come the summer, Rangers’ current focus is set on finding a new manager.
Philippe Clement was sacked following a 2-0 defeat to St Mirren last month and Barry Ferguson has since been appointed as interim boss until the end of the season.
Football Insider revealed on 28 February that Steven Gerrard would be Rangers’ “dream appointment” to replace Clement after his previous spell at Ibrox.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider on 24 February that Gerrard would be open to returning to Rangers after leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq.
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