Chelsea have joined Everton and a clutch of Premier League sides in chasing Wigan Athletic’s exciting prospect Joe Gelhardt, according to the Daily Star.
Gelhardt has been on a meteoric rise to prominence at the Championship strugglers since making his Latics debut in the EFL Cup last season as a 16-year-old, and is now being courted by some of the top-flight’s big hitters.
Manchester United and City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are also thought to have joined our scouts in monitoring his development at the DW Stadium, where the youngster has made seven appearances – all from the bench – this term.
As well as scoring his first goal in professional football from the bench in a 2-2 draw with Hull City in September, Gelhardt made his England U18 debut that month and has since scored three goals for the Young Lions while captaining the side twice.
Wigan are not in a position where they must sell their emerging talent, despite their current relegation-threatened position in the second-tier as they sit 20th, as the Greater Manchester side are said to be in a relatively healthy position financially.
They also announced last week that Gelhardt had put pen to paper on a new, long-term contract, as they rewarded his emerging status as a first-team option with a deal that could be as long as five years.
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In another major hurdle to our efforts, the Daily Star note that Liverpool appear to hold an edge in any race for Gelhardt’s signature, as the teenage centre-forward was born and raised a Reds supporter.
Wigan would also be expected to demand £5million for the young striker, plus additional add-ons, although Gelhardt is in no rush to leave the club he joined as a ten-year-old.
“It’s a great privilege to play for this club,” he told Latics TV. “I enjoy coming into work every day, it’s a great environment. I love working with all of the staff and the senior players have always been very welcoming.
“The fans have given me a big boost with their messages of support. I just like being here, which is why I’ve extended my contract.
“It’s a big confidence boost when I hear the fans singing my name, it gives me that extra percentage and I want to do my best for the fans when I play. The fans are great. I love the fans.”