"Perfect fit" - Pundit tips West Brom to move for rarely-seen Leeds United star | OneFootball

Gelhardt is said to want a loan move away from Leeds United in the upcoming transfer window

Carlton Palmer believes that West Bromwich Albion could be an ideal destination for Leeds United's Joe Gelhardt, who is said to be keen on a loan move away from Elland Road.

The two sides are expected to challenge for promotion in the Championship after both suffering defeat at the hands of Southampton in the play-off semi-finals and final respectively last term.

Despite numerous changes being made in the attacking department in West Yorkshire, Gelhardt's lack of minutes has continued to leave the 22-year-old frustrated, with MOT Leeds News revealing on Wednesday morning that the former Wigan Athletic man wants to strike a loan agreement in the January transfer window.

Therefore, Football League World put the question to the former Whites defender-turned pundit as to who he believes could utilise the striker's services to good effect in the second half of the season.

Speaking exclusively to FLW, Palmer believes that another of his former clubs, in the form of West Bromwich Albion, could look to strike a loan agreement with Leeds due to their lack of options in the centre-forward department, as well as Daryl Dike's persistent injury setbacks.

"Joe Gelhardt has made his feelings clear to the Leeds United hierarchy, as he wants to leave the club on loan in January," Palmer began.

"I can't blame him," he stated. "It's a difficult situation for Daniel Farke to manage, but the 22-year-old has seen very little gametime this season. He's played nine minutes of league football this season."

"It makes sense for both Leeds United and the player for him to get some gametime. Of course, Daniel Farke is blessed with great attacking options and it's just the situation. You want to keep a big squad, you need a big squad as the games come thick and fast. But, it's just not happened (for Gelhardt)," Palmer added.

"Some people say he's not in Daniel Farke's plans, but I think he likes Gelhardt as a player. It's just a situation that he's blessed with attacking options. The only area where he's struggling (for options) is midfield. It's unfortunate for Joe Gelhardt, but hopefully he'll get a loan move away from Leeds United in January."

"Where would he fit in? Well, there's lots of clubs who are looking for strikers," the pundit continued.

"There's lots of clubs who are struggling for goals. Wayne Rooney's Plymouth side are one of those, West Bromwich Albion are struggling (for goals), that would be a perfect fit," Palmer declared.

"Carlos Corberan is brilliant with young players. Daryl Dike has just had another injury setback, they need to bring a striker in."

"Whether Leeds United would let Gelhardt go to a possible play-off candidate (remains to be seen). West Brom are five points behind Leeds United (on Thursday). Whether they'd allow him to go to a side vying for a play-off or automatic promotion spot, I don't know."

Palmer concluded : "But, that would be a perfect fit for Gelhardt. He definitely needs to go."

West Brom would benefit from potential Joe Gelhardt loan deal

Of course, it remains to be seen whether Leeds would sanction a loan move for Gelhardt to the West Midlands if interest arose, given Albion's proximity to United as a potential promotion rival.

However, from a Baggies point of view, Gelhardt offers Corberan a completely different profile of striker, and whilst his minutes at Elland Road have been limited since the club's relegation from the Premier League, his potential credentials at this level were proven in a loan spell with Sunderland two seasons ago, where he recorded three goals and three assists in 20 games as the Black Cats lost to Luton in the play-off semi-finals.

Furthermore, there were reports stating that the B71 side were keen on taking Gelhardt on loan last January, although Leeds were said to be keen on Albion paying his full salary - estimated to be £15,000 per week, and whether he's remained a target for Corberan since then also remains to be seen.

The striker is under contract in LS11 until the summer of 2027, so there is no pressure for Leeds to demand a fee, which plays further into the hands of sides desperate to add to their attacking ranks in the short-term, as well as benefiting the Whites when it comes to fulfiling his development.