Joe Gelhardt could leave Leeds United permanently in January after transfer window surprise
Joe Gelhardt has already been tipped to leave Leeds United in the January transfer window by Carlton Palmer.
The former Whites midfielder told Football League World (5 September) he was surprised the attacker hadn’t left Elland Road before the summer deadline after struggling for minutes.
And if that situation doesn’t change between now and the winter he expects Gelhardt’s agents to be working on a move away, potentially for good.
He said: “I’m surprised he didn’t leave Leeds this summer. Joe Geldhart finds himself in an unenviable position at the moment. He’s 22, and he’s getting very little game time at Leeds United. I’m surprised he didn’t leave Leeds this summer.
“There were previously last season, the likes of Ipswich Town, who were interested in him. The season before, he went on loan to Championship Sunderland, where he played 18 games and only scored three goals.
“I am surprised that him and his advisors haven’t sorted a move. He needs to play football, and he’s just not getting any game time and the years are ticking on.
“I’m sure his advisors now will be looking at it saying, listen, right, if he’s not getting game time, I think by the time we get to the Championship transfer window, they’ll look to get him out, whether it’s on loan or on a permanent deal.”
Daniel Farke unsold by Leeds United after Sunderland loan
The plan at Leeds probably was for Gelhardt to leave on Deadline Day, at least on loan, after Graham Smyth reported for the Yorkshire Evening Post on 30 August that a late attacking signing might facilitate such an exit.
The Whites were heavily linked to Hungarian international Roland Sallia from Freiberg [HITC, 29 August] but talks ultimately failed to lead to a deal.
But it seems that the former Wigan forward has been kept around as cover for an emergency which may never come, and seemingly not for the first time.
Gelhardt spent half a season on loan at Sunderland two seasons ago and played as much in that time than he has for the Whites since he signed a new long-term contract two years ago.
Managers have rarely had a bad word to say about him but Farke is just the latest to give him scrap minutes off the bench at best.
Jesse Marsch talked up Gelhardt’s future around the time of the new deal but rarely backed up his words with actions, and the early promise the youngster showed has given way to frustration and stalled progress.
Unless all of Mateo Joseph, Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford are out it is hard to see Farke turning to him now so a move sooner rather than later is probably needed.
It continues to look difficult for Leeds to shift Bamford, but there were plans during the summer to bring in another forward rather than turn to Gelhardt [Daily Mail, 24 August] so his time has surely come and gone.
In other Leeds United news, transfer talks are being held after a “serious” offer was made by the Whites.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.