Hull City are helping turn Leeds United transfer dream into a reality | OneFootball

Joe Gelhardt has been in sensational form this season for the Tigers

Hull City have been one of the surprise packages of the Championship season as we head towards the crucial Christmas and New Year period.

Despite a change of head coach, with Sergej Jakirovic swiftly replacing Ruben Selles at the MKM Stadium in June, many tipped the Tigers for a season of struggle after surviving the drop into League One purely on goal difference ahead of Luton Town.

Those concerns would only heighten weeks into the Bosnian's tenure in East Yorkshire, when City were hit with a transfer fee restriction - one which was initially set for three windows, but has since been reduced to two - as a result of delayed payments to other clubs, meaning only free transfers or loan deals without any additional fees could be made and then ratified by the EFL.

Five months down the line, though, and several of those 12 signings made across a hectic summer window and Jakirovic's first in the English game are looking extremely astute, as City have been in and amongst the early-season play-off picture, largely down to a strong run of form within the past two-and-a-half months, as they have only suffered three defeats in their past 11 Championship outings.

Two of those came in recent successive outings against Queens Park Rangers and Ipswich Town, before a dramatic comeback victory of their own against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium has seen Hull return to within just one point of the top six.

It must be said that, whilst the Tigers have plenty of threats from all over the pitch, they are certainly more than grateful for the exploits of Leeds United loanee, Joe Gelhardt, and the Whites will certainly be feeling the same way amid a recent price-tag revelation.

Fresh Leeds United, Joe Gelhardt price tag emerges amid stunning Hull City loan form

The Liverpudlian has, for some time, always been a player surrounded by the buzzword of potential, one which, ironically, was sparked at the MKM Stadium through his first senior goal for Wigan Athletic in a 2-2 draw back in September 2019.

Gelhardt has since made 57 appearances for Leeds since completing a £1m switch to Elland Road in the summer of 2020, with the last of those coming in October 2024 in a substitute cameo against Norwich City.

He would then be a key influence in Hull's narrow escape against relegation under Selles last term, with five goals in 20 appearances enough to see him end the season as the club's second-highest scorer.

Despite a change in the dugout, the England youth international would remain on City's radar. Although initial talk of a promotion wage hike being a sticking point, the East Yorkshire side would eventually strike a deal ahead of the opening day of the season against Coventry City.

Since then, Gelhardt hasn't looked back, with his versatility, pace and dynamism key to how the Tigers operate under Jakirovic, showcased by a stellar return of nine goals and two assists in 18 appearances so far this season.

Such form has raised question marks regarding what the future holds for the 23-year-old, who is under contract at Leeds until the summer of 2027, but hasn't started a league outing for Daniel Farke since August 18th, 2023 in a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Such speculation has also come as a result of Hull's current restrictions, with some debating whether it will be a hindrance for City to strike a permanent deal for Gelhardt come the end of the season, with the aforementioned transfer fee restriction only active for the upcoming transfer window.

Rather unsurprisingly, it has been widely reported that the Championship side are looking to strike such an agreement, whilst Gelhardt has placed how much he has enjoyed his time at the MKM Stadium on record.

However, it has recently been revealed by Hull Live reporter, Barry Cooper, that Leeds were looking to sell the forward for £8m in the summer.

With Gelhardt having just one year left to run on his deal in LS11 by the time the current campaign comes to an end, it remains to be seen if the Premier League side will still demand such a fee in the summer. However, it cannot be ignored how much his current form will certainly impact a future valuation, particularly if it is maintained over the remaining 28 league games.

Joe Gelhardt has continued to step up for Hull City and could land Leeds United major cash windfall

For some players, constant speculation can often impact their performances. However, that certainly cannot be said for the United loan figure as Hull look to continue defying the odds.

Seven goals in the past nine games unarguably makes Gelhardt the division's most in-form player despite a somewhat patchy run of recent form for the men in black and amber.

His stock only rose with a 90th-minute winner against the Potters on Saturday, with plenty of Leeds supporters also taking notice of Gelhardt's form with each passing week.

Looking onwards, though, it would certainly make the Leeds board ecstatic if such form continues, as with just over 18 months left on his deal in West Yorkshire, they still have a sizeable amount of bargaining power when it comes to deciding his future.

Clubs, such as Middlesbrough, were interested in his services across the summer, highlighting that his top-flight potential is very much still believed in, which will also impact any valuation placed on the attacker.

Although a change in head coach at the Riverside Stadium could see the forward not be a prime future target anymore, the fact they are pushing for promotion themselves after being part of a previous bidding war will only drive Gelhardt's price up, which could make the Whites' previous transfer dream certainly become a reality.

In the short-term, though, it is a major boost for both parties that his recall clause isn't set to be exercised, in particular, the Tigers, who could rise back into the play-offs this weekend if they defeat Middlesbrough on Friday.