By Anthony Onifade

15th Mar, 2023 | 8:40pm

Rangers locked in battle with EFL clubs to sign 'excellent' Swansea City striker Joel Piroe

Rangers are one of four clubs reportedly interested in signing Swansea City striker Joel Piroe, according to Football League World.

The 23-year-old forward has been on the Welsh club’s books since the summer of 2021 and has gone on to become one of the Championship’s most exciting finishers, scoring impressive 38 goals in 82 appearances for the club, including 13 goals this season.

The report [14 March] claims that Burnley, Middlesbrough and Norwich, from the English Championship, are all also keeping tabs on the Dutch attacker, dubbed an “excellent athlete” by Swans boss Russell Martin, who was reportedly rated at £20m last summer [Daily Mail, 9 July].

It is stated that the Gers have been sending scouts to watch the 23-year-old in action for the Swans this season, as they eye up the talented forward ahead of a potential swoop this summer.

Contingency plan

It certainly seems as though the Gers have already started planning ahead for the summer window, with the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe both facing uncertain futures at the Ibrox.

With the Light Blues planning a full-scale assault on the Scottish Premiership next season, Beale will certainly need proven goalscorers to deliver should Morelos leave in particular.

And Piroe’s time at Swansea shows he could well be the man to aid the Gers in their lofty ambitions next season. 38 goals in 82 appearances for the Swans represents a decent goalscoring record, as well his 13 in 34 so far this campaign.

Imagine the amount he could pull up being serviced by the likes of Fashion Sakala, Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin. At 23-years-old and still developing, Piroe fits the kind of profile of player Beale is harnessing at Ibrox right now which makes this deal a potential no-brainer.

In other Rangers news, a pundit with insider information at Ibrox has shared one condition that will make Douglas Park leave Ibrox.