The promising English forward has struggled for game time at Elland Road but has interest from several clubs
Rangers could make a loan move for Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt in January.
Gers manager Philippe Clement aims to improve his team’s attacking capabilities, as they have only scored 17 goals in 12 league games this season. Last season’s leading scorer, Cyriel Dessers, has struggled in front of goal, while £6 million Danilo, a Brazilian striker, has experienced another injury-plagued season. Hamza Igamane, a rookie Moroccan forward, has played seldom and scored only once.
Clement recognizes the need to strengthen his frontline in order to save his job and improve the season. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Light Blues are among ten clubs interested in the promising English forward, Gelhardt.
The tabloid believes that a trade to Celtic was on the plans in January, but the deal was scuppered due to the Lily Whites reaching their limit on loan players at foreign clubs. Instead, the 22-year-old spent the second part of last season on loan at Sunderland, scoring three goals in 20 appearances.
According to reports, Gers, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle, Preston North End, and two Belgian clubs are all keeping an eye on Gelhardt, who has fallen out of favour at Elland Road this season.
The Liverpool-born striker, who can also play out wide, has played only eight minutes of Championship football, with his solitary start coming in August’s 3-0 EFL Cup loss to Middlesbrough. And it’s unlikely that manager Daniel Farke will stand in his way if teams ramp up their interest when the winter window opens.
Farke was recently challenged about the dynamic attacker’s lack of playing time. He explained: “Obviously, Joffy was dealing with a couple minor injuries in recent weeks. It’s also difficult because he’s such an excellent character who gives his all in every training session. I adore having him around. He was raised in his own home. In each of the training sessions, he puts his heart really out. But the truth also, there’s lots of quality options in this position.
“It’s tough for [Gelhardt], but I have to praise him for his attitude and his workload and training performances. So we also need this. And he has to make sure that he prepares himself for the moment when the chance will come. Sometimes there is a chance out of injuries, illnesses, bookings, or perhaps when a player has perhaps a poorer period and is not delivering. Then his time will come.”
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