Hull City are leading Rangers in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Gustavo Puerta, sources have told Football Insider.

Rangers, Brondby, Red Star Belgrade, PAOK and Anderlecht have all shown an interest in signing the central midfielder before the window closes.

However, Hull are now in pole position to agree a loan-to-buy deal with Leverkusen.

The Championship club are offering a significant loan fee plus an obligation to buy in the summer of 2025 in the hopes of beating rivals to his signature.

The 21-year-old has been made available this summer after making just ten appearances across all competitions last time out.

Hull City pushing to sign Gustavo Puerta ahead of rivals across Europe

Puerta made the move to the German champions from Colombian outfit Bogota in January 2023 and spent a period on loan with FC Nuremberg.

However, upon his return to Alonso’s squad, he did not do enough to earn a regular place in the team and failed to start a single league game last season.

His current contract at Leverkusen is set to expire in 2028 after he signed a long-term deal upon his arrival, but he looks set to leave the club already.

Hull, meanwhile, are looking to strengthen their squad to aid their promotion push after narrowly missing out on the playoffs last time out.

New manager Tim Walter, formerly of Hamburg, is a big fan of Puerta after his time in Germany and will look to add him to his squad before 31 August.

The Tigers have lost key midfield options in Ozan Tufan, Ryan Woods and Fabio Carvalho from last season’s squad and had made a new central player a priority this summer.

In other news, Alan Hutton delivers instant reaction to Rangers Champions League trauma.

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Hull City Pre-Match Show

Argyle face Hull City on Saturday, 17 August, in their first home match of the Sky Bet Championship season.

The Greens’ last home league game? Also against Hull City, back in May – as Joe Edwards’ heroic header kept Argyle in the division.

Following defeat on the opening day at Sheffield Wednesday, Wayne Rooney’s side bounced back on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over Cheltenham Town, and now go in search of their first Championship points of the season.

With video streaming prohibited in domestic territories, Argyle TV subscriptions and audio match passes are the only way to follow every kick of the action live in the UK and Ireland, without being at the game – and the passes cost just £2.50.

However, live video streaming is available for international subscribers to Argyle TV and can be purchased for £10. Audio match passes can also be purchased for this fixture by overseas Pilgrims, enabling supporters to follow the action wherever you are in the world.

Click here to find out where you can buy your match passes.

All the build-up, however, will be available to watch on Argyle TV from 2.30pm. Erin Black will be joined by Aaron Cusack for the pre-match show. They will bring you all the team news, exclusive interviews, and views from inside the Argyle camp.

Commentary from Home Park will then be provided by Charlie Price and Marc Edworthy