Hull City’s Leeds United, Joe Gelhardt saga: Rangers transfer stance revealed | OneFootball

The Tigers could face an issue in their hopes of a permanent deal

Hull City have six matches of the Championship season remaining before their initial fate in the promotion race is decided.

It has been a remarkable first campaign at the MKM Stadium for Bosnian head coach, Sergej Jakirovic, even though the Tigers' levels of consistency have somewhat dropped since February.

After entering the final international break of the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, City returned to action on Good Friday but were largely below-par against relegation-threatened Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium in a 1-1 draw.

As such, they are now five points behind second-placed Millwall and only four points inside the play-offs in front of both Wrexham and Southampton, who, ironically, do battle against each other in North Wales 24 hours after Jakirovic's men play host to league leaders, Coventry City, on Easter Monday.

The key to the Tigers' unexpected success this season has been their clinicality in front of goal, with both Oli McBurnie and Joe Gelhardt leading the way in the scoring charts with 13 Championship goals apiece.

Both struggled for opportunities against the U's last time out, and they will both be hoping to get back in the scoring groove for the remainder of the run-in.

For Gelhardt in particular, it remains to be seen where his immediate future lies, having spent the best part of 15 months on loan with Hull from Leeds United.

However, the Tigers now may face a problem when it comes to their hopes of striking a permanent transfer with the Whites in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Rangers enter race to sign Joe Gelhardt from Leeds United as Hull City eye permanent transfer

The versatile forward was acquired, again, temporarily by the Tigers last August after he previously netted five goals in 20 matches to ensure their Championship survival under Jakirovic's predecessor, Ruben Selles.

Hull, of course, have been extremely restricted in their transfer activity this term after being hit with a two-window transfer fee restriction as a result of delayed payments, and had to overcome some stumbling blocks to finalise their reunion with the Liverpudlian.

Although Gelhardt has only found the back of the net three times in 2026 after returning from a calf issue, it comes as very little surprise that the East Yorkshire club have been the subject of constant talk surrounding a permanent move for the ex-Wigan Athletic academy graduate.

It was recently reported that Leeds had dropped their asking price from £8m to between the figures of £3m and £5m, with Gelhardt's Elland Road contract currently expiring in June 2027.

The attacker has also revealed that he would be open to a permanent HU3 switch, although the Tigers are now set to face competition.

That's because, according to Alan Nixon, Scottish Premiership side, Rangers, are monitoring his progress in the Championship as they prepare for a critical first pre-season under Danny Rohl.

A key factor in this potential loan or permanent deal is said to be Leeds and the Light Blues' links through investors, 49ers Enterprises, and that the Ibrox club could also outmuscle Hull from a financial standpoint, particularly if they don't regain their Premier League status for the first time in nine years.

Hull City will still feel confident about permanent Joe Gelhardt, Leeds United transfer

Despite the fact that the Gers could offer Gelhardt some form of European football, even if Hull aren't to be promoted, they will still hold confidence that a permanent deal could be struck.

Of course, their aforementioned sanctions are set to be removed in time for the summer window, meaning that City are free to spend cash on new recruits for the first time under Jakirovic, who also worked under restrictions at Kayserispor.