Leeds United youngster Joe Gelhardt is close to re-joining Championship side Wigan Athletic. That’s according to The Athletic, who are reporting the forward is mulling over the loan offer until the end of the campaign.
Gelhardt has struggled to secure regular minutes under Jesse Marsch this season so far, picking up just 202 Premier League minutes mostly made up of short cameo appearances off the bench. The addition of club record signing Georginio Rutter is unlikely to bolster Gelhardt’s standing within the squad as the second half of the season approaches, nor will the fitness and recent form of Patrick Bamford.
As such, a loan move may suit the 20-year-old and if he does return to the DW Stadium, he’ll be keen to send out a message of intent with his performances in the Championship. Wigan are currently propping up the second tier, sitting four points adrift of safety and staring down the barrel of relegation to League One.
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They’ll hope the addition of Gelhardt can help them pull away from the drop zone and if they move goes through, they’ll have beaten off competition from a number of other Championship sides. Swansea City were credited with interest in the youngster earlier in the window, but the report suggests the Welsh side are expected to be beaten to the Liverpudlian’s signature.
Gelhardt started his professional career with Wigan, joining the club at the age of 10 and emerging through the youth ranks at the club before eventually making his professional debut in 2018. He went on to make 21 appearances for the Greater Manchester side, with his only goal coming in a 2-2 draw against Hull City in September 2019.
His performances with the Latics were enough to catch the eye of Leeds and he made the decision to swap Wigan for the Premier League back in August 2020. However, after seeing his progression stall somewhat this season, Gelhardt will be keen to build up some form and confidence in the Championship and that could come at a club he knows very well.
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