By Craig Scott

7th Feb, 2021 | 4:13pm

Leeds-linked midfielder replies to official Whites Twitter post

Leeds United-linked Wigan midfielder Sean McGurk was thrilled to see his former team-mate Joe Gelhardt score for the Whites’ Under-23s on Sunday.

Gelhardt, 18, netted twice in the space of five minutes in the first half to help Mark Jackson’s side win 4-2 away against Middlesbrough, taking the ex-Wigan striker’s tally for the season up to seven goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances.

Leeds’ official Twitter account posted a clip of one of Gelhardt’s goals and that led to McGurk responding

The 17-year-old midfielder replied on his personal Twitter account saying, “Joffyyyy”, before adding fire and clapping-hands emojis.

McGurk to join Joffy?

Leeds were always unlikely to strengthen their first team in the January transfer window but we thought that there might be some movement to add to the Under-23s and other youth squads at Thorp Arch.

McGurk is someone who’s been linked with the Whites for a while and in October, The Sun reported the Yorkshire club were plotting a move for the young midfielder in January.

On January 12, Sun journalist Alan Nixon did report that United made another bid for McGurk, who is yet to make a senior appearance at cash-strapped Wigan.

However, that offer was rejected but with McGurk’s deal expiring in the summer, it’s likely the midfielder could head to Elland Road no matter what.

It would be good to see McGurk join us.

Based on Gelhardt’s form in Yorkshire, Wigan clearly have some young players who are worth signing and if they’re available on the cheap, there’s surely no risk in getting in players like McGurk when they could represent a profit in the future or a useable first-team option.

We’ll see how it goes but McGurk is clearly monitoring Leeds’ Under-23s team and his former team-mate Gelhardt and that must bode well for the Whites.

In other Leeds United news, this Palace star is a huge doubt for the game on Monday.