FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Leeds United v Leicester City - Elland Road, Leeds, Britain - April 25, 2023 General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo
Leeds United ace Joe Gelhardt will be “up for grabs” in the January transfer window but a loan exit is most likely, according to Graeme Bailey.
The striker hasn’t had much game time this season with the 22-year-old only managing three appearances across all competitions thus far.
Speaking to LeedsUnitedNews (9 October), journalist Bailey shared that a loan move is more likely at this stage but a transfer is still “definitely” on the cards.
“Yeah I definitely think he is going to be up for grabs. When you are at a club the size of Leeds, it’s a bit similar to the Man United situation, it’s not always easy to move players on because they feel they can do something and things to offer,” he said.
“Gelhardt is still pretty young, I think maybe a loan for him because he’s still got a lot of time on his deal. I think he will go, but a loan is more likely at this point.”
Leeds United should let Joe Gelhardt exit in January
Looking at Daniel Farke’s choices for the number nine role this season, it’s clear that the former Wigan striker isn’t likely to get the game time he desires while playing for the West Yorkshire outfit.
Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe have been the German’s preferred options thus far and, with Patrick Bamford now back from injury, Gelhardt has been shoved even further down the pecking order.
Although the striker has played three times for Leeds this season, there have been points this season when Farke has chosen to leave him out of the squad entirely which isn’t much good for either party.
It’s clear that Gelhardt has potential and that there is a solid player within him but his form over the last few seasons has left a lot to be desired.
Since the 2022/23 season, he’s only managed to bag six goals with five of them coming in that campaign.
At the moment, the Whites can’t afford to give him a run of first-team games, hence, why, a January loan move makes sense.
