According to The Sun, Celtic and Leeds United have both joined the battle to sign Wigan Athletic attacker Joe Gelhardt this summer.
Wigan announced their intention to head into administration earlier this month, meaning players may be flogged on the cheap if they can’t solve their financial woes.
Attacker Gelhardt is unsurprisingly one of the most in-demand players. Now, it’s thought that Leeds and Celtic are considering bids for him.
Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Southampton are also thought to be interested, meaning Leeds and Celtic face a real battle to land him.
Just last week, The Sun claimed that Spurs were especially keen on Gelhardt. That report stated that Spurs scouts even believe that he could be the next Harry Kane.
That’s huge praise for the 18-year-old, but a major indication of his quality. Gelhardt has already featured 17 times for Wigan’s first team, whilst he has racked up 19 goals in 27 caps for England across various youth levels.
Gelhardt, who can play up front or out wide, has just one year left on his deal with the Latics, and that – combined with their financial woes – may mean clubs are sensing a bargain.
The teenager could be spoilt for choice, but the prospect of playing for Marcelo Bielsa, possibly in the Premier League, has to be hugely appealing.
A move to Celtic would be similar to Luca Connell’s move there last summer, and the former Bolton talent has yet to feature for the first team at Parkhead.
That may give Gelhardt pause for thought if Celtic make a move, but turning down the Bhoys isn’t easy – as Connell proved himself last summer.
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