The summer transfer window may have only just closed, but Carlton Palmer believes the Leeds United player could already be eyeing January.
Although Leeds have one of the strongest squads in the Championship this season, they are also one of the smallest, having dropped 21 players in total.
The 49ers worked hard to move many fringe members of the team, but in the process also lost key men such as Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
To make up for those departures, Leeds brought in eight new signings, but they didn’t quite get the positions they wanted.
Daniel Farke wanted to add another number 10 but the Whites were unable to do so for some reason, clearly disappointing the Leeds boss.
Palmer predicts Joe Gelhardt’s future at Leeds
Leeds looked to add the final piece of the attacking puzzle in the final week of the period, making two bids for Gustav Hamer and holding talks with Roland Sallai.
Landing just one of these would represent a significant coup for Leeds and Sallai should certainly be one to keep an eye on ahead of January.
Leeds would be willing to loan Joe Gelhardt if they sign Sallai or Hamer, but unfortunately for him, it looks like he will have a few more months of limited football.
“Talented” Gelhardt has not started a league game for Leeds in 13 months and has played just one minute of the league so far. Nor will he break into Leeds’ strongest team.
Speaking to Football League World about Gelhardt’s situation, Palmer believes the 22-year-old’s agent will be considering possible solutions as early as January.
He said: “Joe Geldhart is in an unenviable position at the moment. He’s 22 and has very little playing time at Leeds United. I’m surprised he hasn’t left Leeds this summer.
“Already last season, teams like Ipswich Town were interested in him. The season before that, he went on loan to Championship side Sunderland, where he played 18 games and scored just three goals.
“I’m surprised he and his advisers haven’t achieved something. He needs to play football but he just doesn’t have the time to play and the years go by.
“I’m sure his advisers will look at it now and say, look, right, if he doesn’t get game time, I think when we get to the Championship transfer window they’ll try to get him out, regardless of whether he’s on loan or on a permanent contract.”
Leeds made a mistake by not taking Gelhardt on loan
Gelhardt started in the Carabao Cup against Middlesbrough and produced a performance that was clearly that of someone eager to impress.
He didn’t have much of an impact on the night though, but that’s not his fault considering his match rhythm is practically non-existent.
At his age it is unfair that Leeds have let him out for so long and this summer really should be a turning point.
In January, Leeds simply need to find another number 10 to allow Gelhardt to leave and develop his career.