West Brom move doesn't make too much sense for Leeds United star: View | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion continue to embark on a promotion push as they chase a return to the Premier League at the third time of asking.

The Baggies, led by Carlos Corberan, have been transformed since the arrival of the former Huddersfield Town coach back in October 2022, with the Spaniard taking the club from the foot of the second-tier table to play-off contention during his first season in charge.

The 40-year-old continues to have the Black Country outfit fighting towards the top end of the division this campaign, despite dealing with very limited resources on the recruitment front.

West Brom managed to sign just three new players during the summer transfer window after taking out a £20 million loan from MSD Holdings, with additional funds secured from the American-based company in November, as investment from controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai remains non-existent.

Albion recently confirmed their first signing of the January transfer window, with Andreas Weimann joining the club on a loan deal for the rest of the season from Bristol City.

The Baggies are now set on making a second winter addition, with Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt rumoured to be on the shortlist, but is this move a sensible decision by the club?

Joe Gelhardt link to West Brom

West Brom appear intent on adding further depth to the forward line and have recently been linked with a swoop for Leeds forward Gelhardt.

According to journalist Alan Nixon on his Patreon page, Albion are the latest club to have considered a move for the 21-year-old, who has made just eight league appearances all season for the Whites.

Despite Corberan departing the West Yorkshire club a month before Gelhardt arrived, the Spaniard is in favour of taking the youngster on loan to restore confidence to his game, although Leeds are said to be keen for potential promotion rivals to pay the forward’s wages in full, which could prove to be a stumbling block.

Scottish giants Plymouth Argyle are another name in the race.

West Brom’s growing forward department

Regardless of seeking a fresh start, there’s no guarantee Gelhardt would walk his way into the Baggies’ starting XI, with Corberan starting to have more options at his disposal again.

Brandon Thomas-Asante has taken on the goalscoring responsibilities as of late due to long-term injuries to Daryl Dike and Josh Maja, with the Ghanaian notching five goals in his last eight league outings to take him into double figures for this term.

Dike has also made a highly anticipated return in a blue and white shirt, scoring in their FA Cup third-round tie against Aldershot Town as well as making an appearance off the bench in the victory over Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

As mentioned previously, the versatile Weimann has signed on the dotted line in B71 to give Albion more options both centrally and on the flanks, which provides Gelhardt with a tough task of dethroning the current crop.

Joe Gelhardt move not worth it for West Brom

After considering the deal, it doesn’t seem the wisest option to sign a player lacking in confidence when they have no guarantee of starting a consecutive run of games.

At this moment in time, Gelhardt needs to be promised significant minutes in a side which will benefit his strengths, but cameos off the substitutes bench seem likely to carry on if he switches to The Hawthorns, with Albion holding strength in depth in that area.

Unless West Brom receive further injury blows to the forward line in the near future, they should look at alternative targets who are prepared to fight for their place and are content with biding their time for an opportunity.