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Joe Gelhardt: Sunderland, Blackburn and Middlesbrough lead race to sign Leeds United star - sources
Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough are in a three-way race to sign Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt, sources have told Football Insider.
The Championship trio are now leading the hunt for the striker, 20, before the window shuts next week.
Wigan Athletic had been leading the race for their academy product but have now dropped down the pecking order, while Stoke City are no longer in the race.
Leeds have given the green light to Gelhardt to being loaned out this month following the club-record signing of Georginio Rutter.
Both forwards were among the substitutes as the Whites played out a 0-0 draw against Brentford at Elland Road on Sunday (22 January).
Gelhardt has made four starts for Leeds United this season – but just one has come in the Premier League.
The England Under-20 international has made 17 appearances totalling just 390 minutes this season.
He managed two goals and four assists in the 2021-22 campaign as Leeds United staved off the threat of relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season.
However, the youngster has failed to nail down a first-team place with Rodrigo Moreno’s blistering form meaning he is indispensable to manager Jesse Marsch at present.
Gelhardt, who joined Leeds from Wigan in 2020, signed a new five-year deal last summer (2022) alongside fellow youngsters Crysencio Summerville and Sam Greenwood.
The Whites are just a point above the Premier League relegation zone after 19 games.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, and Sunderland are all chasing a play-off place in the second half of this campaign.
Boro have already wrapped up the loan signing of Aston Villa’s Cameron Archer this month – while Sunderland are desperate to replace Ellis Simms’ goals after he returned to parent club Everton.
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor issues Jesse Marsch sack ultimatum amid £128m Leeds United reveal.