Paraag Marathe will have to balance out his transfers between Rangers and Leeds United this summer.
That will be difficult as Marathe will know there could be profiles more suited to Rangers, but Leeds will surely remain the priority.
It’s said that Marathe will step back from his daily operations at Leeds, but he will still have his involvement.
Aarons Ramsdale could prefer Leeds to Rangers as the Whites will have the upper hand with many targets preferring the Premier League.
But Daniel Farke will be disappointed to see one former Leeds player sign for the 49ers’ other project in Glasgow.
Joe Rothwell playing for Leeds United FC v West Bromwich Albion.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
49ers to sign former Leeds United star Joe Rothwell for Rangers
Farke is probably unlikely to bring back any loan players from last season as Manor Solomon will stay at Tottenham.
The other loan deal throughout the last campaign was Joe Rothwell, as Rothwell will also not be returning.
This might come as a shock to fans as Farke labelled Rothwell as one of the ‘best’ in the country, with the German clearly taking a liking to the 30-year-old.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
But it seems as though the 49ers have different plans for the Bournemouth midfielder, as their other project has got in the way.
Graham Smyth, reporter from the Yorkshire Evening Post, has suggested that Rothwell is ‘closing’ in on a move to Rangers, as it has been dubbed an ‘incredible’ signing.
Leeds United 2024/25 loan star Joe Rothwell closing in on a move to 49ers Enterprises' other club, Glasgow Rangers.
Would be an incredible signing for Rangers. Good move for him too if Rangers can reach a deal with Bournemouth.#lufc
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) July 1, 2025
View Tweet
READ MORE: Leeds United star currently staying at Elland Road amid ‘stand-off’, he reached agreement weeks ago
One factor meant Rothwell was never returning to Leeds
It’s a shame to see Rothwell depart after putting in a solid stint at Elland Road.
Although injuries affected the latter stages of his campaign, Rothwell notched up 36 appearances, getting some big goal involvements along the way, notably two assists for Pascal Struijk to head home against Sunderland.
Many criticised Rothwell’s time at Leeds but it can’t be denied he was a good squad option to rely upon, but the 49ers are aiming higher now with Premier League targets in the frame.
In his shoes though, it never looked like a return was on, as Rothwell missed his family when at Leeds.
It looks like Rangers is his next chapter, and some fans will certainly be keeping an eye on how he gets on.