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Joe Gelhardt transfer news emerges at Leeds United on deadline day
Leeds United have decided to keep Joe Gelhardt at Elland Road beyond the deadline despite interest from four clubs, according to TeamTalk.
TeamTalk reported via their website on Friday (1 September) that the Whites had rebuffed interest from Ipswich Town and three other clubs who were looking to sign the 21-year-old forward this summer, with Daniel Farke intent on keeping him at Elland Road beyond the transfer deadline.
Gelhardt has received assurances that he will be involved in the Leeds manager’s plans this season and the Whites intend to use the young forward having already allowed Sam Greenwood to join Championship rivals Middlesbrough on loan.
The 21-year-old has four years left on his contract and the Tractor Boys had been interested in securing his services on a temporary basis this season alongside Tottenham striker Dane Scarlett, should he have been made available by the Whites [Darren Witcoop, 31 August].
Right call
Gelhardt’s potential move to Portman Road had seemed like a slightly strange deal for United to agree to, with it seemingly strengthening a rival in a position in which Farke’s team still seem ever so slightly light on depth.
The forward impressed last season on loan with Sunderland and has featured in every game for the Whites so far this season, scoring against Shrewsbury in the Carabao Cup and will likely continue to be involved throughout the bust Championship schedule.
Leeds do have Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter all fighting for the position of centre-forward, but the latter two strikers have suffered injury issues throughout their careers, meaning it is likely Farke will have to call on Gelhardt even with their depth up-front.
The fact that Farke himself has been so keen to keep Gelhardt at Elland Road this summer should suggest that the German intends on using him consistently throughout the upcoming campaign.
Hopefully, the 21-year-old can kick on at Elland Road and start to build the career that so many expect of him at Elland Road and if for any reason he finds his minutes restricted between now and the January transfer window, he will not be short of potential suitors.
In other Leeds United news, a Premier League side has placed a £20m bid for Summerville late in the window