Sources: Stoke City set sights on signing Leeds United star Joe Gelhardt
Stoke City have set their sights on signing Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt on loan to replace Liam Delap, sources have told Football Insider.
Multiple Championship clubs have made enquiries about Gelhardt’s situation at Elland Road.
This comes after Football Insider revealed last week (9 January) that United are open to loaning out the 20-year-old following the recent signing of Georginio Rutter.
Stoke are in the market for a new striker this month after Delap’s loan from City was terminated earlier this month.
The forward, who is regarded as a future first-team star by the Premier League champions, headed to Preston North End on a new loan for the rest of the season.
Gelhardt has made four starts for Leeds United this season – but just one has come in the English top flight.
The England Under-20 international has made 17 appearances totalling just 390 minutes this season – and has largely failed to deliver on the promise he showed during his breakout 2021-22 campaign.
Gelhardt managed two goals and four assists last season as Leeds United staved off the threat of relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season.
Rutter’s arrival, combined with the blistering form of Rodrigo Moreno, means that the starlet’s opportunities are likely to be limited in the second half of this season.
Gelhardt signed a new five-year deal last summer (2022) alongside fellow youngsters Crysencio Summerville and Sam Greenwood.
Leeds United sit 14th in the Premier League table but could drop into the bottom three this weekend if results go against them.
Meanwhile, Stoke are 20th in the Championship and sit four points outside the drop zone after three straight losses in the league.
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