Supporters of Leeds United have recently reacted to a transfer claim which emerged regarding interest in young striker Joe Gelhardt.
According to Football Insider, the Elland Road club has rejected ‘multiple loan approaches’ which have been made for the 18-year-old Englishman.
Supposedly, there is ‘high demand’ for the young striker due to his performances for Leeds’ under-23s so far this term.
Any offers for Gelhardt have been turned down, though, as the club is keen for the former Wigan Athletic man to continue his development at Thorp Arch.
However, Football Insider’s report claims that it ‘remains to be seen’ if a deal will be offered before the window closes that turns Marcelo Bielsa’s head.
These claims were relayed on Twitter by @leedsutdacademy and they had lots of fans talking.
So, what did these Leeds fans have to say about the claims on Joe Gelhardt?
“Seems weird to do when he’s getting nowhere near first team surely letting him go out to play football will improve him?”
Credit: @Lufc19821
“Be a long time before he’s involved as a regular in the first team, may aswell let the lad continue learning his trade elsewhere, be better playing competitive games rather than tinpot u23’s”
Credit: @YorkshireJAMES1
During the summer transfer window, the Whites sealed the arrival of the young attacker from Wigan for a £900,000 fee. The deal he signed with the Yorkshire outfit runs until the summer of 2024 and he has a current market value of £1.17m, according to Transfermarkt.
“Translates as “…he’s VERY close to first team action so he stays right here””
Credit: @YorkshireDublin
“Unleash him when we are safe points-wise in prem”
Credit: @leewakey77
So far this season, the 18-year-old Englishman has made nine appearances for the under-23s in the Premier League 2, in which he has scored five and provided one assist.
Should Leeds let Joe Gelhardt out on loan?
No, he needs to stay
Yes, he should go out
“A loan at a good championship side would do him good. We saw against Crawley that the step up from U23s is a big one. He needs game time against some experienced, nasty fully grown centre half’s…”
Credit: @Dwarfland25
“Strange one this. Gelhardt has been in and out of the U23 side – normally the one to drop out when a first-team player comes in. A Championship loan would have suited him… What do we think?”
Credit: @leeds_utd_news
“No way! He’s so young and impressionable, I wouldn’t let him out of my sight!”
Credit: @jemccudden
As can be seen in these responses from Leeds fans, there was a mixed reaction from them after the report on Gelhardt emerged on Twitter.