Blackburn Rovers’ approach to Leeds United pursuit clarified amid Middlesbrough and Sunderland links | OneFootball

Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt is a live target for Blackburn Rovers but other options are being considered, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.

Rovers lost George Hirst earlier this month, with the young forward recalled by Leicester City and loaned out to Ipswich Town, and are keen to bring in a replacement in the winter transfer window.

The Ewood Park outfit have held talks with Leeds over Gelhardt but face significant competition with Sunderland and Middlesbrough among the clubs reportedly in pursuit.

Now, the Lancashire Telegraph has clarified Blackburn’s position concerning the Whites marksman.

It is understood that Gelhardt was not top of Rovers’ list when they reached out to Leeds but that he remains a live target at this point.

It is said that the Yorkshire club want as good of a financial package for the forward, who currently earns more than double any player at Ewood Park, as they can get.

However, Rovers are thought to be considering other targets as well – among those Brighton’s Deniz Undav.

last week that Gelhardt would get the chance to choose where he spends the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.

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The Verdict

The list of Championship clubs in the race for the Leeds striker seems to be growing as the end of the window draws closer but it seems Blackburn are still among them.

Gelhardt would represent a fantastic addition for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side, who need more forward firepower after Hirst’s departure.

The obvious concern will be whether they’re able to compete with the likes of Boro if a bidding war were to break out, which the Whites appear keen to happen.

With that in mind, it’s certainly positive that Rovers are considering other targets as well.

Going all in for the Leeds player only to miss out and be left scrabbling around for a late-window loan deal would not be ideal.