Birmingham City & Wrexham face new transfer hurdle after Joe Gelhardt twist | OneFootball

The two Championship rivals are facing an intriguing transfer battle for the Leeds forward

Birmingham City and Wrexham are facing another hurdle from Premier League newcomers, Hull City, in the long-standing transfer saga involving Leeds United forward, Joe Gelhardt.

That is according to Alan Nixon - via Patreon - with the Tigers said to be increasing their desire to secure a permanent deal for the versatile attacker who had previously spent the best part of 18 months on loan at the MKM Stadium on loan from Elland Road.

Sergej Jakirovic's team returned to the top-flight in dramatic fashion in May's Championship play-off final after a season in which they were not permitted to spend any money on transfer fees, but will now be hoping to invest smartly in a bid for survival.

Birmingham and Wrexham, meanwhile, remain two of the most high-profile clubs in the second tier at present through their ambitious American investors, and both Chris Davies and Phil Parkinson will have their sights set on finishing in the play-offs, which now includes the sides who finish in seventh and eighth.

Both clubs have also endured intriguing summer transfer windows thus far in what has been a slow-moving market, but will be looking to send out statements of intent in the next three weeks.

Hull City present fresh Birmingham City, Wrexham problem in Joe Gelhardt transfer race

Action Images

Gelhardt's immediate future has, for some time, remained up in the air, even though it has been apparent for some time that the 24-year-old is not part of Daniel Farke's long-term plans in West Yorkshire.

After signing from Wigan Athletic six years ago, the Liverpudlian hasn't featured for Leeds competitively since October 2024, and he has since gone on to make 64 appearances on loan with Hull, scoring 20 times - 15 of which came last season.

The forward is out-of-contract in LS11 next summer, though, and various price-tags have been reported, with Nixon now stating that the Whites are seeking a 'decent fee' for his signature, with all of Hull, Birmingham and Wrexham interested.

It was suggested that Birmingham had plotted a move for Gelhardt, albeit a deal was 'not close' between the two parties, before it was claimed on Monday that the Red Dragons were planning a £4.5m swoop.

But, after Hull owner, Acun Ilicali, previously revealed that other deals would be done in front of a move for Gelhardt, the goalposts appear to have shifted, with it being claimed that the attacker has moved up the list of the Tigers' wanted list as the transfer saga intensifies, in a blow to the two second tier sides.

Birmingham City and Wrexham won't be surprised by Hull City's Joe Gelhardt stance

Action Images

It is fair to say that this state of play isn't one which will overly shock those associated with Blues and Wrexham, with Hull wanting to permanently sign Gelhardt for some time, but they have been forced to wait due to their previous transfer restrictions and the impact of other transfer pursuits.

After the play-off final win over Middlesbrough, the man with 35 prior top-flight appearances certainly made his stance clear when it came to his next move also.

"It's a good question, isn't it? Let's see what happens over the summer, but it's pretty clear what I want to do," said Gelhardt, when asked about the potential of moving to HU3 on a long-term basis.

Birmingham City and Wrexham's other forward links amid Joe Gelhardt blow

Action Images

Whilst Gelhardt would have added strong Championship pedigree and, despite his age, experience, Blues and Wrexham will likely have other targets in mind as they face a blow in this transfer race.

Birmingham have been heavily linked with a move for fellow Leeds forward, Joel Piroe, throughout the summer window, with the Suriname international's own future with the Whites up in the air after limited minutes in the Premier League, although a sizeable fee may be required.

Wrexham, meanwhile, are reportedly rivalling West Bromwich Albion in yet another transfer race, after links surfaced between the North Wales side and Southampton striker, Cameron Archer, who also fell down the pecking order at St Mary's last term.