Leeds United Consider Best Fee For Hull City’s 15-Goal Striker: Should They Go After Him? | OneFootball

Leeds United are ready to sell Joe Gelhardt this summer, as per Leeds press, with the 24-year-old holding just one year left on his Elland Road contract and no real future under Daniel Farke. The Whites are set to hold talks with Gelhardt over his future in the coming months, yet they have deliberately placed a hold on any immediate deal with Hull City, despite the Tigers’ strong interest in signing him permanently.

Leeds United assess the market as Hull City push for striker deal

Leeds United want to assess the wider market first and see what fee clubs are willing to pay following his extraordinary loan stint at the MKM Stadium. Gelhardt scored 15 goals and contributed five assists across 44 appearances in all competitions for Hull in 2025/26, playing a significant part in their Championship play-off final victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley. Hull are now back in the Premier League and remain keen on a permanent deal, but Rangers have also emerged as serious suitors. Leeds are aware of all the interest and are determined to secure the best possible fee before agreeing to anything.

Leeds United must decide between speed and profit

The situation places Leeds United in an interesting but time-sensitive position. Reports from The Athletic’s Beren Cross confirm there is no route back for Gelhardt at Elland Road, making a sale essentially inevitable. Leeds originally valued the former Wigan Athletic youngster at between £3 million and £5 million earlier this year, though that figure may now rise given Hull’s promotion wealth and the competition from Rangers, who share the same 49ers Enterprises ownership group as Leeds.

The shared ownership structure could facilitate a smoother negotiation north of the border. Gelhardt himself has made his preference fairly clear, expressing a desire to remain at Hull City where he has felt settled and found consistent first-team football for the first time in his career. Rangers, though persistent admirers since as far back as January 2025, face an uphill task in convincing him to move to Ibrox instead.

Leeds United hold the cards, but the clock is ticking

HULL, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Joe Gelhardt of Hull City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Millwall at MKM Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Tony King/Getty Images)

From a purely footballing standpoint, selling sooner rather than later is the smarter play for Leeds United. Gelhardt is entering the final year of his contract from July onwards, and every week without a resolution chips away at his eventual transfer value. Hull City, now a Premier League club, bring considerably stronger financial muscle to the table than they did twelve months ago.

A fee in the region of £4 million to £5 million would represent an exceptional return on the £1 million Leeds paid Wigan Athletic back in 2020. Holding out for a bidding war sounds appealing in theory, but the risk of losing him for a reduced fee next January or even nothing next summer is very real. Leeds should move swiftly, prioritise the deal that gives Gelhardt Premier League football, and bank a clean profit that helps fund Farke’s squad rebuild. The answer, in truth, has been staring at Elland Road all along.