Rangers striker target makes final decision on January move

Leeds United striker Joel Piroe has reportedly turned down the chance to complete a move to Rangers before the winter transfer window slams shut on Monday.

The 26-year-old was an integral member of Daniel Farke’s promotion-winning side last campaign, scoring 19 goals in 46 Championship games, but he has fallen down the pecking order since their return to the Premier League.

Piroe has only started two English top flight matches so far this season, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha both preferred ahead of the Dutchman, while he has been an unused substitute in 12 of their 23 league fixtures.

As a result, the former Swansea City centre forward has unsurprisingly been heavily tipped to leave Elland Road before Transfer Deadline Day on 2 February, but he has now rejected a late move to Rangers, as per TEAMtalk.

Danny Rohl’s side are in the market for a new striker amid the goalscoring woes of summer signings Youssef Chermiti and Bokan Miovski, and Piroe has emerged as a potential option in recent days.

Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe is also the vice-chairman of Rangers and he has been keen to finalise a deal for Piroe to move to Ibrox before the end of the winter window. However, the 26-year-old has reportedly rejected the proposed deal in favour of fighting for his place at Leeds.

Joel Piroe rejects Rangers

Farke is understood to be open to keeping Piroe in his first-team squad for the remainder of the season, however Leeds continue to be linked with a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The Norway international has been touted to complete a Molineux exit before Deadline Day and Leeds saw a bid worth roughly €40 million rebuffed by Rob Edwards’ side last week.

Crystal Palace have since emerged as the frontrunners to sign Strand Larsen, having agreed a fee with Wolves, but their proposed deal has stalled and is in danger of collapsing.

Rangers, on the other hand, are expected to continue talks with Hansa Rostock over a deal for Ryan Naderi after learning that Piroe has no interest in completing an Ibrox switch.

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