Reliable journalist: Leeds set to seal another signing, fee could rise to £2.5m with add-ons
Leeds United are expected to complete a deal for Wigan striker Joe Gelhardt and while an initial fee was reportedly agreed for £1m, this will rise to £2.5m with add-ons.
That’s the update that was reported on Tuesday by Mirror journalist David Anderson, a strong source for Leeds transfer news.
He also said that the club are in talks with Man City over another loan signing for Jack Harrison.
Gelhardt on the cheap
The Sun claimed that Gelhardt was set to join in a £1m deal, which led to Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony saying Leeds were buying him for “below market value”.
He called for change from the EFL and said that at £1m, the deal for Gelhardt was “too cheap”.
Wigan are currently in administration and find out later on Tuesday whether their appeal against a 12-point deduction has been successful.
That 12-point deduction will mean they will be relegated from the Championship, while the administrators are busy trying to raise funds by selling players.
£2.5m sounds like a much better deal for Wigan, although getting that total will mean that Gelhardt has been a success for Leeds United too.
No details were given by Anderson but we imagine it will come down to first-team appearances for Leeds and could involve a sell-on.
We think Gelhardt will have to bide his time too and could be set for a stint in the Under-23s before being introduced into the senior squad.
However, Leeds are light on strikers with a dispute over Jean-Kevin Augustin and a loan move for Ryan Edmondson leaving just Patrick Bamford as a senior forward.
Gelhardt would become Leeds’ third signing of the summer, after Helder Costa and Illan Meslier became permanent players following successful loan spells.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay delivers Bielsa update, expects Leeds to confirm major loan signing this week