Celtic have lost out in their bid to stop Wigan Athletic star Joe Gelhardt agreeing a move to Leeds United, Football Insider has learned.
The newly-promoted Premier League outfit are set to unveil the England Under-18 international striker as their third summer signing today.
A Celtic source has told Football Insider they offered Gelhardt, 18, a long-term contract as they looked to beat multiple English clubs as well as Rangers to his signature.
But Celtic have been told that Gelhardt is instead heading to Elland Road in a deal that was agreed last week and is now on the verge of being announced.
Wigan’s administrators have accepted Leeds’ offer of £1million plus performance-related add-ons.
Additionally, Gelhardt has also agreed personal terms with the winners of the 2019-20 English Championship and there have only been a few paperwork details left to finalise.
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Multiple clubs have looked to take advantage of Wigan’s cash crisis that took them into administration last month.
The wonderkid had previously been valued at around the £5million mark by the Latics but they have failed to get close to that sum despite the immense promise he has demonstrated this season.
Gelhardt has graduated from the Wigan youth ranks to clock up 21 first-team appearances, 19 of which have come in the 19-20 campaign that ended in their relegation to League One.
The rising star is poised to become Leeds’ third signing of this summer after Illan Meslier and Helder Costa.
In other Celtic news, a Glasgow-born international has been tipped to sign for the Hoops after approach made.
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By: Wayne Veysey
Title: Celtic news: Gelhardt rejects Hoops hijack to agree Leeds move
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/revealed-striker-rejects-celtic-offer-to-agree-to-sign-for-pl-club/
Published Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2020 07:00:23 +0000
