‘Would like to...’ - Phil Hay makes big claim regarding future of ‘astonishing’ Leeds starlet

Leeds United are keen on ensuring that youngster Joe Gelhardt signs a new contract at Elland Road in the near future, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The 19-year-old is considered a big talent for the Whites – he has been hailed as ‘astonishing’ by talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham – having joined from Wigan Athletic in 2020.

Gelhardt scored a memorable stoppage-time winner against Norwich City last weekend and he has made 13 Premier League appearances in total this season.

The striker’s current Leeds deal expires in the summer of 2024, and in order to stave off interest from other clubs, a new-and-improved contract could be in the offing.

Taking to Twitter on Friday as he shared a corresponding article from The Athletic, Hay confirmed that the club are interested in tying Gelhardt down to a new deal at Elland Road.

He revealed: “Joe Gelhardt is rapidly shooting up the list of players who Leeds United would like to tie to a new contract.”

Ensuring that Gelhardt remains at Leeds for many years to come is a no-brainer for the Yorkshire club, with the teenager possessing so much potential.

He could be viewed as the long-term successor to Patrick Bamford in attack, having scored 18 goals in just 27 appearances for the Whites’ under-23s prior to breaking into the first-team picture.

At 19, Gelhardt has the world at his feet, so it would be devastating to see Leeds drop the ball and allow his current contract to tick down, leading to another club snatching him away and enjoying his talents instead.

In other news, one Leeds player has made a key hint regarding his future. Find out who it is here.

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