Joe Gelhardt transfer latest: Rangers/Celtic claim, Leeds United stance, West Brom link | OneFootball

Given his lack of game time so far, Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt may be seeking a move away from Elland Road during the January transfer window.

Reports from earlier in the season from the Yorkshire Evening Post state that he is a player that could end up on loan in the January window, having failed to make much of an impact on Farke’s side so far.

Somewhat hampered by injury, he is regularly making the bench when fit, but hardly ever utilised by Leeds' chief, who has a plethora of options in his front line. Gelhardt has featured eight times in total this season, including four starts.

He also notched once in the EFL Cup against Shrewsbury Town before injuring his hand. He also recently sustained a hip issue, and neither of those injuries have helped him to gain any momentum or a foothold in Leeds' first-team plans.

Gelhardt simply needs to be playing at a key stage in his development as a young professional. He is another player that was linked with a move in the summer, and it could become a possibility again if he can't force his way back in soon.

Gelhardt can play as a right-winger, or behind the main centre-forward in a secondary-striker role, whilst plenty of his career has been played as a number-nine as well.

His last involvement in a white shirt came in a 1-1 draw with Coventry on December 16th, playing five minutes from the bench as a late substitute.

With speculation surrounding his immediate future this month, we have rounded up some of the latest reports on the 21-year-old forward.

Journalist Dean Jones provides Celtic and Rangers update

Transfer insider Dean Jones has provided an update on the future of Gelhardt amid interest from Scotland in the Leeds forward. Jones believes that a loan move to Celtic or Rangers would be a good fit for the player at this stage of his career.

Both clubs have made enquiries about Gelhardt’s availability, which the journalist has claimed is no surprise given his quality.

Speaking via GiveMeSport, Jones said: “I guess it'd be a loan move.

“Gelhardt would be a nice profile player because he seems ready to perform on the right platform. He's got excellent traits that probably need a bit of development now.

“I'm not surprised that enquiries are being made on both fronts from Rangers or Celtic at this moment in time. For a player like Gelhardt, it's probably confidence-boosting to have those conversations happening around you right now.

“Whether they can come to fruition and turn into a transfer is different, but I don't think it's harming anybody to look at that situation.”

Leeds looking to free up first-team wages

Leeds United are working to free up funds this January by trying to remove big wages from Elland Road, but are having no success, according to Alan Nixon.

The Sun journalist reported via his Twitter (X) account that the wages of Charlie Cresswell and Gelhardt are two being looked at and of the players who could be moved on before February 1st.

Despite Luke Ayling and Darko Gyabi leaving the club on loan, and Djed Spence’s season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur being cut short, the Leeds hierarchy are still aiming for at least another two wages to be taken off the books.

The most likely players that fit the criteria are fringe first-team players, such as the England U-21 duo.

Other recent reports have stated that West Brom are one of many clubs interested in Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt, according to Alan Nixon's Patreon.

The Baggies face stiff competition for the Leeds man, with the aforementioned pair of Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic said to be keen, along with Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle.

However, it's reported that Leeds want the Baggies, one of their direct promotion rivals, to pay Gelhardt's wages in full if he was to make the move to The Hawthorns, which could be a potential stumbling block for any move given the Baggies' financial situation.

They have added to their attacking depth this month with Andi Weimann coming in on a half-season loan from Bristol City.