Joe Gelhardt is now set to stay at Leeds United beyond tonight’s 11pm deadline.
That is according to Team Talk, who report Leeds have turned down ‘several offers’ for the 21-year-old in the hope of keeping him at Elland Road.
Championship rivals Ipswich Town, who Leeds defeated 4-3 at Portman Road last weekend with Gelhardt coming on as a late substitute, were among those said to be interested.
However, despite his recent dip in form, Daniel Farke has clearly seen enough to warrant keeping him in his squad amongst the array of attacking talent at his disposal.
Gelhardt has started two of Leeds’ four Championship matches this season, coming off the bench in the other two, and provides Farke with a versatile option in that front four.
Leeds set to keep Gelhardt despite Ipswich interest
That said, since returning from his loan at Sunderland, Gelhardt has been well below his best under Farke, despite having often started in his favoured number 10 role.
He did manager to get on the scoresheet in the win over Shrewsbury Town but too often has not looked like scoring.
Gelhardt has looked a far cry from the player that first broke into the first team under Marcelo Bielsa, where he was able to dance past defenders like they weren’t there.
Farke will be hoping by keeping him around, Gelhardt is able to rediscover that form which would be a real asset at this level.
Given Sam Greenwood has been shipped out on loan, keeping Gelhardt is a huge show of faith in him by Farke and it is now time to start repaying it.
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