This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Phil Hay has recently confirmed Leeds United's interest in Wigan Athletic forward Joe Gelhardt, with the striker facing an uncertain future at the DW Stadium.

The 18-year-old has made 18 appearances for Wigan this season, scoring his first ever senior goal in the 2-2 draw with Hull City back in September.

The forward faces an uncertain future at Wigan, though, with the club likely to sell plenty of their key assets this summer, after recently being put into administration.

According to Hay, Leeds like the look of Gelhardt, who is also said to be attracting interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic.

Here, then, the FLW team discuss this potential transfer move, and whether a move to Elland Road would be the right one for Gelhardt...

Jacob Potter

This would be a smart move by Leeds.

Wigan are struggling financially, so any potential deal could be at a smaller fee than they might have hoped to obtain for their players.

Gelhardt has impressed me when he's been involved in the Wigan senior team this season, and he could be a player with a bright future ahead of him if recent performances are anything to go by.

Marcelo Bielsa has already shown that he's willing to give younger players a chance in the first-team, and Gelhardt could be the player to do just that in the future.

Leeds have got an impressive academy setup as well, and I think Gelhardt would certainly benefit and develop as part of that.

I find it highly unlikely that he'll be a regular starter for Leeds, especially if they're in the Premier League next season.

But over time, I think he'd be a good addition to the Leeds squad.

George Dagless

It could be a decent move.

Leeds have brought through some good youngsters into their senior side under Marcelo Bielsa and Gelhardt would surely benefit from such an approach.

I do wonder, though, if in the Premier League such opportunities would still come about at Leeds as then they'd be looking at survival rather than being the top dogs.

One thing is for sure, though, he'd learn more under Bielsa than most managers and so I think, overall, it would be a good move for him all things considered.

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Alfie Burns

I think that Gelhardt really needs to consider Leeds’ interest in him, it could be a great move.

Leeds might well be playing Premier League football next season and given how Marcelo Bielsa likes to lean on youth, the 18-year-old could well get a taste of top-flight football next season.

Would he get that at somewhere like Leicester? Maybe, but I’d be arguing it is a lot more likely at Elland Road.

Whatever path Gelhardt decides to take away from Wigan, he can’t follow the money. He’s got to focus on playing games, which I feel he would at Elland Road.

It’s a great place to build your career.