Leeds United striker is now wanted by rival Championship club, but they can’t afford him

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Leeds United are not expected to make any major inroads in terms of new signings in the January transfer window, but there are a couple of players who could leave Elland Road next month.

Graham Smyth expects Leeds to sign a no.10 in the winter window, while there may be some need for a new left-back given Junior Firpo’s injury and recent suspensions. Firpo could even leave in January.

Besiktas are keen on signing Firpo, possibly on a free transfer to replace Arthur Masuaku. Max Wober is eyed by old club Salzburg, while Wolves have been touted as a possible landing spot for Wober.

Elsewhere, Rennes are interested in signing goalkeeper Illan Meslier and Joe Gelhardt wants to leave the Yorkshire club with a number of clubs interested. Rangers and a handful of Championship clubs are keen.

• READ MORE: Three things learned as Leeds United beat Middlesbrough on Tuesday night

Queens Park Rangers want to sign Leeds United attacker

Gelhardt is attracting interest from the likes of Stoke, Portsmouth and Plymouth while a reunion between Gelhardt and best mate Sam Greenwood at Preston could happen. Now, a new club want Gelhardt.

A report from Football League World says Queens Park Rangers are keen to sign Gelhardt, a striker Alan Shearer once described as “magic” on Match of the Day in 2022, to aid their fight against relegation.

QPR’s 3-0 win over Norwich has seen Marti Cifuentes’ side climb out of the bottom three, moving into 20th place on 18 points. But they are still only a point above the drop and they need goals up top.

Or, a bit of ingenuity. A player that can do something out of nothing given they won’t have much of the ball in their remaining 27 Championship games. FLW say QPR want Gelhardt, but there’s a problem.

QPR cannot afford to sign Joe Gelhardt on a permanent basis

Indeed, a permanent deal seems unlikely. While it is unclear how much Leeds want for Gelhardt, QPR are unable to sign him other than on loan. The striker has a contract at Elland Road until the summer of 2027.

Gelhardt needs a permanent move at this stage. He has little future at Leeds with Daniel Farke as boss and he needs to depart permanently, so unless QPR can stump up the fee, he should look elsewhere.

A move to Rangers would see him struggle to play, just like he is at Leeds. He needs a Championship club where he is going to get game time and perhaps, a Stoke or a Preston might suit the Leeds striker.