Portsmouth eye Leeds United ace Joe Gelhardt amid Rangers development - report

Portsmouth are one of several clubs monitoring the possibility of a move for Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt in the January window, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The Leeds-based outlet reported on 26 November that Gelhardt, 22, is a target on the list of clubs including Pompey, Preston North End and Scottish giants Rangers.

The England youth international has played just eight minutes of Championship football so far this season as he finds himself down Daniel Farke's pecking order for the promotion-hunting Whites.

Portsmouth can offer Joe Gelhardt regular starting spot

Portsmouth do have options in attack, but it can be argued John Mousinho does not possess proven quality at this level through the middle.

Gelhardt's goalscoring record is far from prolific, but as a second striker he can add plenty towards the firepower of a team when he is performing in his preferred area of the field.

At the moment, Colby Bishop has only just returned and was set to start against Millwall before Wednesday night incredibly served up a second-straight postponement [27 November].

Kusini Yengi, Elias Sorensen and Mark O'Mahony also offer the same threat, but the trio have just three league goals between them this season.

Pompey need goals and are under increasing pressure to deliver in a notoriously difficult January market, so their hard work in finally returning to the second tier is not to end up in vain.

Gelhardt would most likely be available on a loan deal but a purchase could also work, though the Blues may have to fork out if they want a young player with experience of the level, under contract until 2027 at Elland Road.

In other Portsmouth news, Dan Plumley backs Andy Cullen's honest financial admission.

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