Blackburn Rovers have tabled a loan bid to lure Joe Gelhardt to Ewood Park from Leeds United in the January window, with Preston and Hull also keen in landing the striker in the coming weeks.
Gelhardt, 21, is really struggling for game time. He got five minutes in the 1-1 draw with Coventry, but that was his only outing in Leeds’ last 17 Championship games. He’s only been in the squad nine times.
He needs a loan. That is, despite reports suggesting he is likely to stay – with Daniel Farke keen to keep him at Leeds as cover. He sits behind Joel Piroe, Georgie Rutter, Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph.
Now, the new report claims that Leeds will let Gelhardt go – but only if Leeds are given assurances that the striker will play regularly. Alan Nixon has told his Patreon channel that Blackburn have made a bid.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side have made a loan offer for Gelhardt, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Sunderland. But Boxing Day opponents Preston are also keen, as are play-off chasing Hull.
Blackburn Rovers table loan bid for Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt
A move to Blackburn, Preston or Hull – clubs who all still have a chance of breaking into the top six in the second half of the term, albeit slim – would be a good move. All three clubs play a nice brand of football.
Whether Leeds will allow Gelhardt to go remains to be seen, and it might be that Leeds wait until the FA Cup clash against Peterborough United before letting him go – and seeing how he does in that match.
He is expected to be on the bench on Boxing Day when Leeds take on Preston at Deepdale, with Luke Ayling, Sam Byram, Jaidon Anthony and Jamie Shackleton all expected to be missing from the clash.
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