Joe Gelhardt exit: EFL rivals join transfer race for Leeds United wantaway
Luton Town are the latest team to join the queue for Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt, according to Football League World.
The online source reports [10 January] that the Hatters face competition from Hull City and Wrexham for the 22-year-old’s signature, with MOT Leeds News understanding the striker wants a move this month.
MOT Leeds News also understand the Whites would prefer not to send the 22-year-old to another Championship club, though multiple EFL clubs are lining up for his signature.
Joe Gelhardt to seal Leeds United exit before January window slams shut?
Daniel Farke clearly has no plans to use the young striker this season, having only given him two substitute appearances in the Championship.
It makes far more sense to send the centre-forward out on loan, allowing him to gain important minutes on the pitch, before returning to Elland Road at the end of the current campaign.
When Patrick Bamford is fit, Gelhardt slips even further down the pecking order, with Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph ahead of him, plus Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James being able to play through the middle.
Sending him on loan for the second half of the campaign could also make sense financially, with clubs likely to continue watching his development in case a possible permanent exit were to emerge.
A move to Kenilworth Road would certainly be so the Hatters can guarantee safety in the Championship, with the managerless side also having the ambition to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
It remains to be seen who will finally get Gelhardt’s signature down on the dotted line, but with multiple reports still coming out, Leeds have plenty of choice before the window slams shut.
The young forward being stuck at Elland Road would be the worst eventuality for the player, and would also be frustrating for Farke and the squad, with one spot on the bench seemingly always taken.
In other Leeds United news, one player might have already played his final game under Daniel Farke and could be gone within days.
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