Journalist says promotion rivals want Leeds player, despite already signing Tottenham attacker

Mirror journalist Darren Witcoop claims Ipswich Town are interested in signing Leeds United ace Joe Gelhardt before Friday’s deadline – despite striking a move for Tottenham Hotspur talent Dane Scarlett.

Gelhardt, 21, has been heavily involved for Leeds this season – but more due to a lack of options in the final third. Returning from a poor loan at Sunderland, he has featured in all six of our matches this term.

Indeed, he has started four of those six – subbed on against Cardiff and Ipswich. Joel Piroe has seen Gelhardt fall down the pecking order – Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph are returning from injury.

The ex-Wigan man is going to struggle to start with Piroe on board and even more so, with Bamford and Joseph back. Witcoop says Ipswich are interested. That is, even after already signing Spurs’ Scarlett.

Ipswich Town keen on signing Leeds United ace Joe Gelhardt

It would be a stunning move for Ipswich. Having played against us last Saturday, it was clear Kieran McKenna’s side are going to be right up at the top end of the league table when May comes around.

Gelhardt is a top talent but is yet to turn potential into proven quality. A move to an Ipswich side, fighting at the right end of the table, in the style McKenna has installed – would be a brilliant move for Gelhardt.

It would also see him team up with Leif Davis, another ex-Leeds player. You would expect that he would start over Scarlett, and if not – his versatility may allow him to play in the 10 role. A good move for Joffy.

‘I’m here to do the business’ – Scarlett on Town move and working with McKenna

New Ipswich Town signing Dane Scarlett revealed that his move to Portman Road had been talked about for a number of weeks, but it was only made official yesterday afternoon.

The striker joined on loan from Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, having made 10 appearances for them across all competitions since 2020. He also penned a new deal in North London, which will now run until 2027.

He’ll spend the rest of the season in Suffolk, competing with George Hirst, Freddie Ladapo and Kayden Jackson in what is his first Championship loan.

“It’s been in the works for a few weeks now, but I found out yesterday that I was officially going to make the move,” Scarlett told Town TV.

“I remember playing against Ipswich last season. It was a good game, and I liked the way they played.

“I love the way they play football and I think it’ll suit me well. I’m looking forward to it.

“As a striker, I can see that there’s chances there to be taken. I’m willing to do that.”

The 19-year-old has a good relationship with manager Kieran McKenna, who coached at Spurs’ academy until moving to Manchester United in 2016. He also knows Omari Hutchinson, who played with him at youth level for England.

McKenna previously praised Scarlett as one of the best young strikers in English football, highlighting why the club moved to bring him in before the end of the window.

“We had some chats [with McKenna] – they’ve all been positive,” he revealed. “I’m just really trying to settle in.

“I see a future with him and I’m looking forward to it.

“I know Omari really well, he’s a good player. It’ll be good to link up with him on the pitch.”

Of course, the move will have also been sanctioned because of Town’s fine start to the season, picking up nine points from four games and progressing to the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Scarlett knew that they’d adapt well to the Championship, having been impressed when playing against them during his loan spell at Portsmouth last season.

“You can see the quality, even from playing against Ipswich last year,” he explained.

“They were probably the toughest games I played last season. I got a goal in one. Hopefully I can score a few more at Portman Road.

“It was their ability to keep the ball and play with it. They were top class.”

That spell at Fratton Park certainly helped him develop as a player. He was Pompey’s starting striker in the early stages of the season, but eventually fell out of the squad and was unable to get back into the starting lineup.

The experience was vital, but he believes that he can gain more from his spell with the Blues, especially playing in the Championship.

“It was good to get out and play some games,” he admitted. “I really enjoyed it, to be fair.

“I didn’t score as many as I hoped to, but I’m here now to do the business.

“I could see the game completely differently in just one season. I’m just excited to get started.”