Rangers in hunt for Leopold Querfeld transfer amid contract situation with rival interest from Celtic
Rangers are interested in signing Rapid Vienna’s Leopold Querfeld after the youngster established himself in the first team, according to HITC.
The outlet reported via their website on 7 March that the Light Blues are one of a number of British sides who have been looking at the 20-year-old this season, with his contract set to have just a year left this summer.
The centre-back is also on Celtic’s radar, while Premier League clubs Crystal Palace, Fulham, Burnley and Wolves are paying attention, as are Championship side Leicester City.
Having graduated from Rapid’s academy the Austrian Under-21 international has now made 61 senior appearances for the club.
Rangers in hunt for new centre-back amid Celtic interest
Despite the largely excellent form under Philippe Clement the past couple of weeks have indicated that the centre-back position is one that could stand some upgrades.
Connor Goldson remains the de facto number one option but followed up his miserable outing against Theo Bair in the shock Motherwell win at Ibrox with a nightmare own goal away at Benfica in the Europa League.
His regular partner under the Belgian, John Souttar, equally struggled against Stuart Kettlewell’s side, and then conceded a penalty in Lisbon for a handball, despite the pair having been strong prior.
The former Hearts man has been in and out of the side during this two campaigns at Ibrox, often trading places with ex-Liverpool man Ben Davies, who himself has been inconsistent and was a candidate to leave before the season started.
Leon Balogun has offered a reassuring presence after returning to the club this term, but turns 36 in June, while youngster Leon King has seemingly moved backwards and has only seen a handfull of minutes all season.
So it is little surprise that Clement and Nils Koppen would have their eye on adding to the group, and Querfeld’s contract situation suggests he could be available for a reasonable price, but if the light Blues do make the interest concrete a lot will likely depend on which of the other suitors do as well.
In other Rangers news, Lawrence Shankland has admitted he would be “tempted” by a possible exit opportunity.
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