Leeds United's Joe Gelhardt is embraced by manager Jesse Marsch
Journalist Phil Hay has insisted that Sunderland are keen on signing Joe Gelhardt this month amid competition from a fellow Championship club.
The Lowdown: A new attacker top of the list
The Black Cats are enjoying a marvellous first season back in the Championship under Tony Mowbray, with their young stars carrying them most of the way, as the likes of Amad Diallo, Patrick Roberts and Anthony Patterson have featured regularly.
Sunderland have also recently made their breakthrough in this month’s transfer window by bringing in yet another young player in the form of Pierre Ekwah from Premier League outfit West Ham United.
However, they certainly don’t appear to be done there, as they clearly need another striker, with Ross Stewart the only player to be called upon in that position – and Leeds United ace Gelhardt could well be that man to boost the frontline on Wearside.
The Latest: Gelhardt still on the radar
Despite strong reported interest from Wigan Atheltic, Hay – who covers Leeds United – believes the Black Cats still hold an interest in the 20-year-old striker.
Speaking on The Phil Hay Show, he said: “Sunderland are also another side who have been having a look at him and would definitely take him if they could.
“It feels like a big decision, that, for Gelhardt, in as much as Wigan are struggling in the Championship quite badly and he could help that and it’s going to be a live run of games for them right to the end.
“But Sunderland are very much in the mix for the play-offs, and I guess it’s a question of, beyond just how comfortable you feel at a club, what you want to be involved in – whether you want to be knocking on the door of getting promoted, whether you want to, I guess, potentially have a relegation on your record, not that it could in any way be pinned to him given the position Wigan are in at the moment.”
The Verdict: New targets should be lined up
We feel Gelhardt would fit the bill at Sunderland as he can play through the middle and would be yet another young player who Mowbray would have on his books in a similar mould to former player Ellis Simms.
He received high praise from Leeds sporting director Victor Orta, who told The Athletic (via The Boot Room) that he was ‘one of the most talented forwards in the country for his age’.
However, given the strong interest Wigan appear to hold in the player and how Gelhardt joined Leeds from the Latics, you’d imagine would be very comfortable back at the DW Stadium – so perhaps Sunderland should start exploring other options.
It has recently been claimed that Sunderland are indeed still working on bringing Simms back to the Stadium of Light given his lack of minutes since returning to Everton, so that may well be the avenue the Black Cats decide to go down this month.
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