‘Sources close to him’ – Phil Hay claims Leeds set to complete attacker transfer on Monday
Leeds United are set to make their third signing of the summer on Monday, with Wigan striker Joe Gelhardt ready to put pen to paper.
Talking on The Athletic, Hay said the “transfer is a long way down the line”.
This follows on from an update from Mirror journalist David Anderson, who said that Leeds would pay an initial fee of £1m that could rise to £2.5m with add-ons.
Leeds fans can now expect their summer to finally get underway with the first new player signing, after loan deals for Helder Costa and Illan Meslier were made permanent.
“This transfer is a long way down the line,” said Hay. “There are no issues with his medical or personal terms and Leeds are happy to meet the price set by Wigan’s administrators.
“It comes down to whether Gelhardt wants to join and sources close to him have told The Athletic that the move should go through on Monday. A box ticked, just about.”
Gelhardt – a solid signing
Gelhardt might be a player for the Under-23s initially but we can see him getting first-team action next season.
At an initial fee of £1m, rising potentially to £2.5m, Gelhardt is a step above your normal Under-23 signing.
He’s a player who was turning heads way before Wigan got into financial trouble and were hit with a 12-point penalty after going into administration.
Those 12 points relegated them on the final day of the season despite a fantastic second half of the season.
Liverpool and Everton were scouting Gelhardt last year and the same report claims Wolves and Leicester were also interested.
Leeds look set to win the race at a price said to be “too cheap” by Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony – and he could be a player who makes a big impact from the off.
In other Leeds United news, ‘One of their own’ – Exclusive: Pundit shocked as PL ace refuses new deal amid Leeds interest