20 year old Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt is considered to be a future first team player for the Whites, but a lack of opportunities for meaningful game-time means that the youngster is likely to head out on loan until the end of the 2022-23 season.
Recently, Vital Leeds looked at the possibility of a loan switch for Gelhardt, after head coach Jesse Marsch eluded to not giving the young striker enough minutes on the field for Leeds this season.
Well-followed Leeds reporter Phil Hay noted that there was significant interest in securing Gelhardt on loan from a number of clubs in the Championship, with Swansea linked with him at the time. However, soon after that Gelhardt’s former side Wigan Athletic emerged as front-runners for the loan move.
Now, in the latest developments, it appears that its a matter of time before the switch back to Wigan is confirmed, as reported in Phil Hay’s latest piece with The Athletic.
Wigan currently sit bottom of the Championship table, four points from safety. Only two teams across the division have scored less goals that the Latics to-date this season, so a goalscorer is very much a priority for manager Kolo Toure’s side.
Some Wigan fans are already getting excited by the prospect of landing Gelhardt on loan, with Leeds reporter Adam Pope joining in on some of the fun online:
Absolutely a bets a bet 😂 being shafted by the fans though haha
— Zack Atherton (@ZackAtherton2) January 19, 2023
Gelhardt is under contract at Elland Road until 2027 and is very highly rated. Its hard to imagine that alarm bells should be ringing for Leeds fans that they might lose their man on a permanent deal at the moment, although with the recruitment of Georginio Rutter for a club record fee, the Leeds attacking positions are starting to look quite stacked.
Gelhardt, or Joffy as he is often referred to, has shown signs of the talent he possesses, namely with his winner against Norwich last season and his incredible assist for Pascal Struijk’s equaliser against Brighton last May to help Leeds stay in the Premier League.
If he completes this loan move, he has a real chance to get great experience and to show us the goal threat he can be.