Celtic make approach to sign Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt – ‘He seems ready’
Celtic and Rangers have approached Leeds United with enquiries over the potential signing of forward Joe Gelhardt, according to Dean Jones.
The transfer insider revealed via GIVEMESPORT (18 January) that any move for Gelhardt would be on a loan basis.
Jones believes that the 21-year-old’s profile could fit the Scottish game well with the top-two Scottish Premiership clubs now in pursuit of a deal.
Jones explained, “I guess it’d be a loan move. Gelhardt would be a nice profile player because he seems ready to perform on the right platform. He’s got excellent traits that probably need a bit of development now.
“I’m not surprised that enquiries are being made on both fronts from Rangers or Celtic at this moment in time. For a player like Gelhardt, it’s probably confidence-boosting to have those conversations happening around you right now.
“Whether they can come to fruition and turn into a transfer is different, but I don’t think it’s harming anybody to look at that situation.”
Struggles
Gelhardt just hasn’t been able to kick on under Daniel Farke in the Championship so far this season.
He has only featured six times in the league, playing just six minutes across two substitute appearances since August.
After his productive loan spell with Sunderland in the same division last term, where he scored three goals and provided three assists across 18 outings, those at Elland Road and Farke himself will feel frustrated that Gelhardt hasn’t been able to kick on.
The forward needs more regular playing time, and a move to one of Scotland’s top two could therefore be to his benefit, and to the Whites’ benefit as well if the move is only temporary.
Gelhardt is still just 21 years old and has time to develop into a top player, but he needs more regular game time to aid that development, and he might find that further north.
For Leeds United, there is very little, if any drawback at all to this potential deal.
In other Leeds United news, club influence has been suggested after a transfer decision was reached at Elland Road.
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