Hull City must take Leeds United transfer action ASAP for 'special' star | OneFootball

Joe Gelhardt has been one of the leading lights in City's promotion push

Hull City's unexpected promotion bid continued in midweek with a crucial victory over Wrexham in North Wales, with Sergej Jakirovic's side creating a healthy buffer between themselves and the many sides in the chasing pack.

After suffering back-to-back losses against Ipswich Town and Millwall, a 2-1 success over the Red Dragons was the perfect response from City, who recorded a 10th away victory of the Championship season in the process.

In recent weeks, Jakirovic's side have showcased both the best and worst sides to their game in an extremely mixed run of form, both on a collective and individual basis.

However, after struggling to regain form straight after returning from a calf issue sustained in December, Joe Gelhardt's recent form has seen the Leeds United loanee return to his previous, extremely effective and creative self, at a timely point in the season.

It has been well-documented that, whilst they sit fifth in the table with less than two months of the regular season to play, Jakirovic's first term at the MKM Stadium as head coach hasn't been without its problems.

The biggest of those, of course, was the two-window transfer fee restriction which Hull were hit with in July after previously delayed payments, somewhat limiting the activity which the club have been able to conduct in the transfer market.

But, alongside their lofty league placement, a major positive for all connected with the Tigers is that the restriction will no longer be in place as of the summer transfer window.

As such, it allows them a clearer route to compete for Gelhardt's signature on a permanent basis, and they should be looking to get a further head start on potential rival suitors as soon as possible.

Hull City must press forward in permanent transfer move for Leeds United's Joe Gelhardt

Gelhardt's performances and output are two key reasons as to why City have propelled themselves up the second tier standings this season, after his five goals in 20 appearances in the second half of last season helped ensure survival under Ruben Selles.

Given the potential which the 23-year-old still has to fulfil, it was no surprise that the Tigers found themselves at the front and centre of a transfer battle for his services yet again last summer, with current promotion rivals, Middlesbrough, expressing an interest before City were able to overcome a handful of stumbling blocks.

One of those was that Leeds had placed an £8m valuation on the forward, as well as a wage hike in his Elland Road contract, which currently runs until June 2027.

Gelhardt had reached the 10-goal mark by December 5th, and after initially finding his feet again after injury, has netted in three of City's past five matches, with his delightful free-kick against the Red Dragons being the pick of the bunch on that front, and in terms of his seasonal collection thus far.

Furthermore, the East Yorkshire side have been handed a potential boost when it comes to striking a permanent deal with the Premier League side, after it was reported that they would only demand a fee between £3m and £5m in the upcoming window.

It has been made clear how important Joe Gelhardt is to Hull City and Sergej Jakirovic

Even though Gelhardt's first spell in HU3 came under Jakirovic's predecessor, Selles, the Bosnian has constantly reiterated why he was so keen on striking a second deal with the England youth international.

“When I watched him in last season’s games, I begged Mr Chairman (Acun Ilicali) to bring him back here," said Jakirovic in November.

“He likes playing here and he wanted to come back here. He has a completely different profile to the players we have.

“He has the quality to play in a number of positions and is able to pass, shoot and has speed, which is special," he added.

“He’s 23 years old and maybe he can reach the Premier League. But, right now, he’s made the difference.”

Sporting director, Jared Dublin, recently outlined the circumstances which may need to fall into place for a permanent deal to be struck between the two parties, especially with Leeds' top-flight status still far from guaranteed - albeit Gelhardt has rarely featured under Daniel Farke in LS11.

If City were to continue defying the odds, there is also a strong chance the Liverpudlian will be able to build on a record of two goals and six assists in 35 prior Premier League games, whilst Leeds would still make a profit on the £1m they parted with in July 2020 for his signature.

Therefore, the club should look to gain an advantage in the race to acquire his services, with the latest valuation set by Leeds certainly one which many sides in a similar position to the Tigers will feel they can afford to match.