How Joe Gelhardt feels about leaving Leeds United for Hull City | OneFootball

Hull City are already planning a deal for 2026

Hull City would be keen on exploring a permanent deal for Joe Gelhardt next summer.

The Tigers have been one of the surprise packages of this season’s Championship campaign after many predicted them to face a relegation battle before the campaign kicked off.

Sergej Jakirovic’s side were placed under a three-window embargo preventing them from paying transfer fees for players due to late payments to other clubs in the summer, which has since been reduced to a two-window embargo.

Despite having to operate with this restriction in place, Hull still made some clever additions to their squad, such as the deals to sign Oli McBurnie, Amir Hadziahmetovic and John Lundstram.

Another key signing they made was bringing Gelhardt back for a second loan spell, after he impressed last term.

Hull City will push to make Joe Gelhardt deal permanent next summer

Gelhardt originally arrived at the MKM Stadium in January on loan from Leeds United, who decided that they didn’t need the forward for their Championship title bid.

The Tigers were fighting to remain in the division and Gelhardt’s five goals, which included a match-winning brace against Preston North End, played a crucial part in helping them retain their Championship status.

Hull brought the forward back during the summer on another loan deal and his form has risen to another level. Gelhardt has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 15 matches this term, making him one of the division’s most potent attackers.

His importance to the team isn’t lost on Hull, which is why planning is already in place regarding the 23-year-old’s future. According to HullLive, the Tigers are keen on making Gelhardt’s deal permanent next summer.

It is also stated that the feeling is reciprocated by the player, with his contract at Leeds United set to expire in the summer of 2027. The Elland Road outfit aren’t expected to exercise a recall clause in Gelhardt’s contract despite his flying form.

The forward completed his footballing education with Leeds United, after spending time in both the Whites and Wigan Athletic’s academy systems.

Leeds United’s fate could impact Joe Gelhardt’s Hull City future - he wants move

There is reportedly a mutual desire from both Hull and Gelhardt to make their future a permanent one, but Leeds United still hold the cards in this scenario.

It seems unlikely that they will make him part of their plans whilst in the Premier League, but their status in the division isn’t secure.

The Whites currently sit 16th in the top-flight standings, just a single point clear of the relegation zone, and it certainly isn’t an unrealistic prospect for them to suffer relegation back down to the Championship.

Gelhardt has proven to be an expert goalscorer in the division, so Leeds may choose to keep his services in that scenario. This would scupper any transfer plans for Hull City and may be the only thing in the way of a permanent deal.