Phil Hay issues update on Leeds United’s Joe Gelhardt amid Sunderland, Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Wigan interest | OneFootball

Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt’s future is not yet resolved despite having appeared close to a return to Wigan Athletic.

That is according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, who reports that the terms over the youngsters exit from Elland Road are continuing to be discussed.

The Athletic reported last week that Gelhardt was set for a loan move to Championship strugglers, and the youngster’s former club, Wigan Athletic this month, however, no move has yet materialised, and other clubs are now pushing hard for his temporary signature.

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough have also been linked with a move for the young forward.

There certainly looks set to be some movement ahead of the transfer deadline, with Leeds United said to be keen on the 20-year-old to head out on loan with his minutes under Jesse Marsch likely to be limited for the remainder of the season.

So far this season, Gelhardt has struggled for minutes in the first team at Elland Road.

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The 20-year-old has made 15 Premier League appearances, for example, but more often than not, these have been very short cameos off the bench, usually for under ten minutes.

In total, at the time of writing, the Leeds starlet has racked up 41 senior appearances for the Whites, scoring two goals and registering seven assists.

The Verdict

It seems as though reports indicating Joe Gelhardt was heading to Wigan were not quite accurate if indeed the striker’s short term future is still undecided.

Top Championship sides are pushing for his signature, so the player and the club certainly have a tough decision on their hands.

As good as a return to Wigan would be, for example, Leeds surely have to factor in how much they are struggling in the division this season.

On the flip side, meanwhile,  with the likes of Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Sunderland, the 20-year-old would be joining a side currently in or around the hunt for a play-off place this season.

It’s certainly going to be fascinating to see where Gelhardt ends up.