“Up for grabs” - Leeds United star tipped for Elland Road exit | OneFootball

Bailey believes Gelhardt is up for grabs this January, but doesn't believe a permanent exit is as likely as a loan switch.

Journalist Graeme Bailey believes Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt will be up for grabs in January.

However, speaking to Leeds United News, Bailey doesn't think a permanent exit is on the cards for the Whites' forward at this point, and believes a loan move may be more likely during the January window.

Currently, there's little chance of Gelhardt winning much first-team football at Elland Road, with the likes of Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph ahead of him in the pecking order.

Patrick Bamford is another decent forward option to have when he's fit and if all three can stay available for much of the campaign, Gelhardt won't have much of a chance to make an impact, with his starts potentially likely to be limited to cup competitions.

Even then, there are no guarantees that he will get the chance to play.

It seems clear that Gelhardt needs to secure an exit from Elland Road, either permanently or on loan, in his likely quest to secure more game time under his belt.

Right now, his career is at risk of stalling, with the player spending much of the season watching his teammates in action, rather than being involved himself.

He spent time at Sunderland during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign and was able to make a respectable impact there, but it remains to be seen whether another Championship side will come in for him in January and whether the Whites are prepared to let him go.

Making just three competitive appearances so far this season, he has started in just one of those, with that start coming in the West Yorkshire side's heavy EFL Cup defeat against Middlesbrough.

If he continues to struggle in his quest to win more minutes on the pitch, a January exit be on the cards.

Graeme Bailey makes prediction on Joe Gelhardt's Leeds United future

Both the player and Leeds would need to agree to an exit - and Bailey believes a loan move is more likely than a permanent exit at this point.

He said: "Yeah I definitely think he is going to be up for grabs.

"When you are at a club the size of Leeds, it’s a bit similar to the Man United situation, it’s not always easy to move players on because they feel they can do something and things to offer.

"Gelhardt is still pretty young, I think maybe a loan for him because he’s still got a lot of time on his deal. I think he will go, but a loan more likely at this point."

Joe Gelhardt should be seriously considering Leeds United exit amid stiff competition

Gelhardt needs to win more game time now if he wants to fulfil his potential.

Elland Road is a great place to be right now, with investment both on and off the pitch giving the Whites a good opportunity to be successful in the future.

But Gelhardt needs to think about his own career and how far he wants to go in the game.

Considering his contract doesn't expire until 2027, it may benefit him to have one last spell out on loan to see if he can impress.

But a permanent exit wouldn't be a bad outcome either, because he will find it hard to overtake the likes of Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe in the pecking order.