Sources: Joe Gelhardt to decide loan today after Sunderland, Stoke, Blackburn, Swansea and Wigan talks
Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt will decide later on Friday where he goes on loan after fielding offers from five Championship clubs, sources have told Football Insider.
The forward has held talks with Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers, Swansea City, Stoke City and Sunderland and has been given the green light by Leeds to go out on loan.
Gelhardt, 20, trained with Leeds on Friday but will now make a decision on which club he’ll represent for the remainder of the season.
It has been suggested that the forward’s former club Wigan are in the driving seat to land the United talent.
Born in Liverpool, Gelhardt was snapped up by the Wigan academy at a young age and was brought through the club’s youth academy.
He was handed his Latics debut in 2018 and then enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2019/20 when he made 18 Championship appearances and scored once.
His form in the Championship caught the eye of Leeds United, who signed Gelhardt in 2020 on a four-year contract – the same season they achieved Premier League promotion.
Gelhardt was made to wait patiently by then-manager Marcelo Bielsa for his debut, but eventually came off the bench in an EFL Cup clash against Fulham in September 2021.
The young striker went on to make a total of 20 league appearances in 2021/22 as he helped Leeds narrowly avoid relegation, and Jesse Marsch has continued to show faith in him with 15 league games played this season.
However, opportunities will be limited for Gelhardt in the second half of the season at Elland Road, with Marsch now able to rotate between Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and new arrival Georginio Rutter as his starting striker.
In other news, Football Insider sources reveal Leeds United have agreed £7m Wilfried Gnonto top-up