Rangers and Hull City learn how much money Leeds United want for Joe Gelhardt | OneFootball

Rangers and Hull City have been told what they will have to pay Leeds United to secure Joe Gelhardt's services permanently this summer...

Joe Gelhardt has spent the last 18 months as a Hull City player on loan from Leeds United, but this weekend could be his final game for the Tigers if they fail to make the Championship play-offs.

The versatile forward is often utilised off the right flank or behind a centre-forward, but Joe Gelhardt has also spent plenty of his career as a striker in his own right. Considering the 23-year-old's age and contract situation, he is likely to have plenty of suitors this summer.

Gelhardt is in the final year of his deal at Elland Road, having scored or assisted 19 goals in 40 games for Hull City this term. In total, Gelhardt has 19 goals and five assists in 60 appearances over the last 18 months in East Yorkshire.

Only six players have more goal involvements this term, including Finn Azaz, Josh Windass, Morgan Whittaker, and Sorba Thomas. Zan Vipotnik (26) has the most ahead of Gelhardt's Hull teammate Oli McBurnie (22) so far this term.

Hull City learn the fee they will have to pay Leeds United for Joe Gelhardt

After barely featuring for Leeds under the management of Daniel Farke, the £1 million signing from Wigan Athletic in 2020 enjoyed a fine 20-game spell and his five goals were cital to City's survival under Ruben Selles.

Despite numerous stumbling blocks, City were able to fend off competition from fellow promotion hopefuls, Middlesbrough, to lure Gelhardt back to the club for a season-long loan this time around.

With Selles having been replaced by Sergej Jakirovic, Gelhardt could have been forgiven for failing to kick on. However, he has been outstanding and now Gelhardt is said to be keen to return to Hull. That said, there will be other Championship clubs in the race.

It's already become clear that they face competition from Scottish giants Rangers, who are keen on signing the forward following his impressive campaign in Jakirovic’s team. Despite entering the final year of his deal, his Hull form could well have increased Gelhardt's valuation.

Last summer, there were claims that Leeds valued the man who is under contract with them until 2027 at £8 million. Now, a fresh claim has emerged on what the Whites want to sell the attacker for.

TEAMtalk state that Leeds are keen to cash in around the £3 million mark, with Gelhardt one of a number of players they are keen to offload in the summer transfer window.

Joe Gelhardt's wages are a massive problem for Hull and Leeds

Unsurprisingly, the aforementioned transfer restrictions, as well as a wage hike in his Elland Road contract due to the Whites' Championship-winning campaign, initially jeopardised the chances of Gelhardt returning to Hull for a second loan stint.

The fee is reasonable for a number of Championship sides, if not a complete bargain. That is sure to see interest increase, too. However, the issue for many clubs when it comes to the permanent signing of Gelhardt remains his wage situation.

Per FLW sources, Gelhardt's £15,000 estimated wage is far below the actual reality. With the forward paid closer to four times that amount from the contract handed to him by Victor Orta. That is why Leeds have been forced to loan him numerous times rather than sell.

In the final year of his deal, it could well be easier to compromise on this summer for both the player and the two clubs involved, but it has been an obstacle for Leeds in selling and interested clubs in buying in previous summer windows.