Championship trio interested in Joe Gelhardt as Leeds United offer transfer update

Leeds United outcast Joe Gelhardt is the subject of a potential loan move to Blackburn Rovers, Preston and Hull City interested, according to Alan Nixon.

The journalist reported via his Patreon [24 December] that Leeds are open to allowing the 21-year-old to leave Elland Road on loan this January but both club and player reiterated the need for a "realistic run of games".

It is understood that Blackburn are interested in his services once again, having attempted to sign the young forward a year ago. Hull are believed to be leading the chase, with Preston also keeping tabs.

Bottom of the pecking order

Gelhardt has been amongst the shadows at Leeds since the arrival of Daniel Farke as manager, starting just two league games and appearing as a substitute in four others.

The young prospect looked to be finding his feet at Elland Road in recent seasons but has taken multiple steps back in his bid for first-team minutes, with Georginio Rutter, Patrick Bamford, and now Mateo Fernandez all above him in the pecking order.

A loan move could be vital for Gelhardt's development. However, it is difficult to judge whether he will get enough game time at the lower clubs or if they are just looking for a backup option to their current forwards.

Either way, it may be best to stay positive and trust whichever team want to take the player on loan. If he stays at Leeds for the rest of the season, he is unlikely to get many more minutes on the pitch despite a rather congested winter period.

Farke bringing 20-year-old Fernandez on against Ipswich Town could be seen as a message to the outcast. A loan move seems to be the right decision for Gelhardt but only time will tell.

In other Leeds United news, one BBC pundit was left stunned by Joe Rodon’s “outstanding” performance against Ipswich Town