Fans of Leeds United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Graham Symth suggests that the club is interested in signing Wigan Athletic forward – and reported Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic target – Joe Gelhardt.
In his post, Smyth wrote: “There’s something in tomorrow’s Yorkshire Evening Post on Joe Gelhardt. Leeds very keen but facing strong Premier League competition. They feel it would be a coup to land him.”
In the report by the Yorkshire Evening Post that Smyth mentions, it is stated that the 18-year-old ‘is on the radar of a number of top-flight clubs’, with Leeds said to believe that ‘it would not be an easy deal to land’ and his signing would be considered ‘real coup at Elland Road’.
The report goes on to mention that Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham and Celtic are amongst the clubs interested in the forward.
And, in reaction to Symth’s post on Twitter, fans of Leeds have flocked to have their say on the matter, with many agreeing that the potential signing of Gelhardt would indeed be good for the club.
Yessss, been saying we should jump in for weeks. 1.5 million talked about tag, bargain
— Owen Walton (@OwenWalton9) July 20, 2020
Wigan youngster, decent prospect!
— Ashley (@AsherRD28) July 20, 2020
Such exciting times https://t.co/9utvGbIShE
— Conor McGilligan (@ConorJHMcG) July 20, 2020
Must have something seeing the amount of top clubs after him ?????
— prem kenny brown???? (@kennybrown1964) July 21, 2020
While Gelhardt’s playing time has been relatively limited this season, with only two of the forward’s 17 Championship appearances being starts, the 18-year-old has still impressed for Wigan.
Despite playing just 407 minutes of league football, he has still managed one goal, as well as averaging 0.8 shots, 0.4 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per game, culminating in an average WhoScored match rating of 6.20.
Would you like to see Leeds make a move for Joe Gelhardt this summer?
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Gelhardt has also featured for England at U16, U17 and U18 level, scoring 11 goals in 24 appearances across the various age groups.
In addition to this, with the future of Wigan being uncertain following the club’s entering into administration, it would seem likely the club will need to sell off many of its assets this summer, with the £1.17 million-rated Gelhardt very much being one of the club’s more prized possessions.
However, some of the Leeds fans appear less convinced about a move for the forward.
Has he scored many for his club? Looks like he hasn’t. Wikipedia says he’s had 17 appearances and scored 1 goal? Why not get a striker who actually scores goals instead?
— Lowfields Road ? (@road_lowfields) July 20, 2020
Does Orta’s scouting software filter out anyone over 5ft 6?
— Zak Pullen (@zak_pullen) July 20, 2020
While it is true that Gelhardt is not exactly a seasoned goalscorer as yet, at just 18 years old, one would assume he would be more of a signing for the future, rather than immediately being inserted into the starting XI.
Considering his goalscoring record at international youth level, it would also appear that the player has plenty of potential for Marcelo Bielsa to mould.