Joe Gelhardt exit update as another Championship club want Leeds United man
Joe Gelhardt has interest from Hull City and another unnamed Championship club as his exit from Leeds United looms, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported on 8 January that while a number of clubs are keen on signing Gelhardt on loan, Hull and the other unnamed club are “very serious” about pursuing a deal.
Gelhardt leaving Elland Road is the most likely transfer activity to take place in LS11 this month [Adam Pope, 7 January], with the 22-year-old expected to join Hull or another club regardless of Patrick Bamford’s latest injury.
Smyth said: “There is interest in a loan move. Hull City and one other Championship club are very serious about taking him for the second half of the season and there are others still keen.
“Leeds are very open to the idea and I don’t believe Patrick Bamford’s injury will be a barrier to that. Gelhardt is also obviously keen to get out and play.
“There is no issue with wages from what we’re told and this is one bit of business we’re expecting to happen before the deadline.”
Leeds United have to act following Joe Gelhardt exit
Although the main reason for Gelhardt departing Elland Road for the rest of this season is largely due to his lack of game-time, his exit will still free up a place in the squad which could be upgraded.
Just two Championship appearances this term, both off the bench, make Gelhardt heading for pastures new a no-brainer, but this doesn’t mean that the Peacocks can’t afford not to strengthen up front.
While many fans want to see a new goalkeeper purchased by the end of this month in the wake of Illan Meslier’s latest set of blunders against Hull on Saturday, adding another striker wouldn’t go amiss either.
Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, and to a lesser extent Bamford may appear to have the centre-forward ranks sewn up, but signing someone like Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath would be a game-changer.
This season is a crucial one in United’s history when it comes to the ramifications if unsuccessful in their goals, and strengthening after Gelhardt’s exit may be just what is needed to fire them to promotion.
In other Leeds news, Elland Road sources have called selling one of the club’s star players last summer a “blessing in disguise”.
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