According to MOT Leeds News, Leeds striker hopes to sign a loan deal away from Leeds United in January.
Gelhardt joined Leeds from Wigan in 2020 with great expectations, but the move hasn’t gone as well as he had hoped.
Joe Gelhardt’s move to Leeds United has not worked out
Gelhardt rapidly became known for his reckless style and spectacular performances for the Leeds U21s, where he scored 20 goals and assisted on another six in 31 games.
His outstanding efforts earned him a berth in the first squad, but continuous playing time proved difficult to come by due to competition for spots and managerial changes, restricting his ability to truly establish himself as a first-team regular. He made only 57 first-team appearances, scoring three goals and assisting five.
He only started two league games last season, and the situation has not changed this season, as he has yet to start a single league game.
Gelhardt wants to leave in Leeds in January
According to the source, the player is growing disillusioned with his current situation at the club and wishes to leave in January.
Former Leeds midfielder Carlton Palmer also predicted that he would leave in the January transfer window, expressing astonishment that Gelhardt and his advisors could not negotiate a deal during the summer, given the striker’s little role at the club.
However, according to Graeme Bailey, he would have transferred but for the player’s pay, which prevented him from leaving Elland Road this summer.
Other clubs have taken note of Gelhardt’s inability to get into games at Leeds. Last season, Ipswich Town displayed interest in the striker, and Gelhardt spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Sunderland, where he made 18 appearances but scored only three goals.
With the transfer window opening in January, clubs in need of attacking reinforcements may regard Gelhardt as a viable option.
