West Brom have been linked with this Leeds United attacker. But a move may not be so straightforward.
West Brom saw a number of attacking players linked with the club in the run up to January, with one being Ben Brereton Diaz.
He’s since joined Sheffield United on loan from Villarreal, but Carlos Corberan now has a new striker on his radar in Joe Gelhardt.
The Leeds United forward worked with Baggies boss Corberan at Elland Road in the past, with Alan Nixon now revealing that Corberan wants to bring the 21-year-old to The Hawthorns on loan.
But Nixon also adds that Leeds ‘want full wages from any potential promotion rival’ and that it might be simpler to send Gelhardt to Scotland, with both Celtic and Rangers interested.
Gelhardt rose through the tanks at Wigan Athletic before joining Leeds in 2020. He’s since made 49 first-team appearances for the Whites and has three goals to his name; last season he spent time on loan at Sunderland, scoring three in 20 Championship appearances.
West Brom eyeing attacking additions this month
It seemed inevitable right from the very start of the season that Corberan and West Brom would be eyeing up attacking signings this month.
Grady Diangana has departed for AFCON and injuries to the likes of Josh Maja and Matt Phillips has left the Baggies with a very depleted attacking department.
Daryl Dike has made his return, but a full return to league duties seems a while off yet, whilst youngster Tom Fellows continues to flourish.
Gelhardt then, who Corberan obviously knows well, and who can play as a no.9, a no.10, or even as a winger, could provide some much-needed coverage in the second half of the campaign.
And this rumour comes as West Brom look to be closing in on a deal to sign Bristol City’s Andi Weimann.
Wages will be key sticking point here
With Leeds apparently demanding that Gelhardt’s full wages be covered, if they loan him to a promotion rival, then it could prove difficult for West Brom.
As per Salary Sport, Gelhardt earns £14,000-a-week at Elland Road, which would leave him in the middle section of West Brom’s wage bill; on the same as names like Cedric Kipre.
And given the club’s poor financial situation and ongoing takeover saga, whether or not the Baggies could afford Gelhardt right now remains to be seen.
But it’s an exciting link; he would no doubt be a useful player and despite a tough last year or so, playing under Corberan would give him a chance of floruishing.
Right now though, a move for Gelhardt doesn’t seem all that probable, unless West Brom can get their takeover done and dusted soon.