Leeds United transfer news: Daniel Farke stance on Joe Gelhardt shared amid Celtic approach
Daniel Farke is not willing to let Joe Gelhardt depart Leeds United amid fresh interest from elsewhere, according to Graham Smyth.
Smyth shared the update for the Yorkshire Evening Post‘s online edition on Friday [19 January], as Celtic and Rangers continue to be linked.
Dean Jones reported for GiveMeSport on Thursday [18 January] that the 21-year-old is wanted on loan by the Glasgow pair.
However, Smyth insists that is not possible due to international loan rules, while a permanent exit from Elland Road is also unlikely.
“Any temptation to farm the youngster out to allow him to continue his development elsewhere for the second half of the season is tempered by Leeds’ own squad needs,” Smyth said.
“Farke sent Djed Spence back to Tottenham Hotspur and allowed Luke Ayling to move to Middlesbrough on loan but the Whites are yet to strengthen themselves. And the squad is not so big that Farke would be willing to let Gelhardt go too.
“Gelhardt’s camp are under the impression that there is currently ‘no chance’ the forward moves out on loan during the January transfer window and in any case, a temporary stint with either Rangers or Celtic is impossible because it would count as an international loan and Leeds cannot sanction any more of those.”
Move on
Gelhardt has not had the chances he would have liked this season, but Leeds needs to be selfish over the youngster’s future.
While it may make sense on the face of it for the England Under-20s international to gain experience elsewhere, he may still be needed by Farke.
Leeds have an array of riches in the final third to choose from, explaining why Gelhardt has only played six times in the Championship this term.
At many other clubs, he would be a regular starter. Even when Farke made five subs in the win over Cardiff City last week, Gelhardt was unused.
Should Willy Gnonto move on this month, though, which has been widely suggested, that is all of a sudden one less option in attack.
All it would take then is for one or two injures or suspensions at the same time and United would be very light all of a sudden.
It may well be that Gelhardt’s future lies away from Leeds, but for the time being he is not yet deemed surplus to requirements.
In other Leeds United news, a Championship rival is attempting to blow the Whites out of the water in pursuit of a player they both want to sign.
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