Exclusive: Leeds respond as multiple approaches made for Joe Gelhardt
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Exclusive: Leeds respond as multiple approaches made for Joe Gelhardt

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Leeds United have rejected multiple loan approaches from Championship clubs for Joe Gelhardt, Football Insider understands.

The 18-year-old is in high demand among second-tier sides after his performances for the senior side for the Whites' Under-23s this term.

However, a Leeds source has told Football Insider the club want the versatile forward to continue his development at Thorp Arch and have turned down several temporary offers this month.

It remains to be seen if a new offer can persuade Marcelo Bielsa to change his mind ahead of next Monday's transfer cut-off.

The teenager joined the Premier League outfit last summer for a fee understood to be in the region of £1million plus performance-related-add-ons.

While he is yet to feature for Leeds' senior side, Gelhardt has caught the eye playing for the club's Under-23s in Premier League 2 this season.

The teenager has built up a budding relationship with fellow 2020 arrival Sam Greenwood and has proven his versatility by playing in a number of roles in the front line.

A graduate of the Wigan youth system, Gelhardt made his first-team debut for the Latics as a substitute on the left wing in the League Cup back in 2018.

He made 21 appearances for Wigan before joining Leeds, where he has played nine times in Premier League 2 and scored five goals.

His performances have attracted the attention of several clubs in the Championship but Bielsa has been happy for him to develop in the reserve side.

As well as Gelhardt and Greenwood, Leeds signed the likes of Cody Drameh, Crysencio Summerville and Dani van den Heuvel for Mark Jackson's side last summer.

In other news, Jack Harrison has left Noel Whelan baffled at Leeds United.

Leeds United
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