Leeds transfer target of 'similar ilk to Joe Gelhardt' at Elland Road

Leeds United target Leon King is of a ‘similar ilk’ to striker Joe Gelhardt, with the Rangers defender attracting plenty of interest from Elland Road, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Jesse Marsch was handed more than £90 million to bolster his options during the summer window but attention has now turned to strengthening in January.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Leeds are among the sides eyeing up a move for the 18-year-old, having sent scouts to watch him in action.

The journalist adds that the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United are also monitoring his progress ahead of the January transfer window.

King recently started for Rangers in their Champions League clash with Liverpool at Anfield and, despite losing 2-0, the teenager earned praise from Jurgen Klopp.

The German lauded King’s ability to perform as well as he did under the lights of the iconic ground, adding that he ‘played a good game’.

Unsurprisingly, praise has also come from his own boss, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst claiming the academy product has a ‘very bright future.

O’Rourke believes that, if King were to arrive, it would be in a similar style to Gelhardt’s arrival at Elland Road in 2020.

The journalist says that this is a continuation of Leeds’ attempts to bolster all of their squads, not just the first team.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I think he would be of a similar ilk. Obviously, I think Leon King’s probably played more first-team football than Joe Gelhardt had when he arrived from Wigan. But Leeds are looking at younger players, not just for the first team, but also for the under 23 teams, which is very strong as well, so they are building for the future.”

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