Revealed: How Leeds United feel about Joe Gelhardt's situation at Hull City - £8m bombshell emerges | OneFootball

Joe Gelhardt has scored nine goals from 18 appearances for Hull City this season

Joe Gelhardt is expected to spend the entire season on loan with Hull City despite a January recall clause in their agreement with Leeds United.

The forward joined the Tigers on loan in the summer, returning to the side where he spent the second half of the previous campaign.

The 23-year-old has contributed nine goals and two assists from 18 appearances in the Championship so far this season.

Gelhardt’s form has been impressive under Sergej Jakirovic, leading to some speculation over a potential return to Elland Road in the winter amid Leeds' battle against relegation back to the Championship.

Daniel Farke’s side are struggling for form in the Premier League, but the striker has previously been unable to make a case as part of the German’s first team squad during his time as manager.

Leeds United’s Joe Gelhardt, Hull City January recall stance

Journalist Barry Cooper has revealed that Leeds are unlikely to recall Gelhardt in the upcoming January window, and that their window to do so is quite narrow and only at the beginning of the month.

He has claimed that the forward is expected to spend the whole season with Hull, which will come as a boost to the Championship side amid their push for a play-off place under Jakirovic.

"My understanding is that Leeds have the option to recall him in January, but only have a short window early on to do that, and at this stage, have no plans to call him back,” said Cooper, via Leeds Live.

“Obviously, things change, and that's always the case with the transfers, but as it stands, he'll stay at City for the season."

Cooper also revealed that Leeds sought £8 million for the forward last summer, with his future beyond this season yet to be determined.

"Ultimately, Gelhardt's form is a win-win for Leeds," he added.

"Either he comes back next summer with Leeds, probably in the Championship and a season scoring 15-plus goals under his belt, or they can sell him on for good money.

"He's only got a year or so left on his Elland Road deal, so the fee won't be huge, though still not to be sniffed at.

"City will have a chance purely based on Gelhardt's strength of feeling for the club.

"That said, it will depend on many factors.

"What league are the respective clubs in for one? Are City free of any EFL fee restrictions? Can they afford what Leeds will want?

"Initially, the Whites wanted about £8 million early in the summer, which was pie in the sky at that stage.

"If he keeps up his form, then they'll have much stronger bargaining power in the market and look to command a big fee."

Hull have enjoyed a positive first half of the campaign following the appointment of Jakirovic in the summer.

The Tigers are eighth in the Championship table, just one point behind Bristol City in sixth place after only 18 games played.

Gelhardt’s goal scoring form has been key to their strong results, with the Leeds player currently just behind Brandon Thomas-Asante and the injured Carlton Morris in the golden boot race.

Next up for Hull is a home clash against second place Middlesbrough on 5 December in an 8pm kick-off.

Keeping Joe Gelhardt will be huge for Hull City

The fear will always be that Leeds could change their mind regarding Gelhardt, but Hull have negotiated a strong recall clause, and so just have to make it past that deadline instead of the end of January.

This protects them against a late decision right as the window is about to close, which could’ve been very detrimental to the Tigers.

Gelhardt has performed well in the Championship during his time at the MKM Stadium, but he just hasn’t been able to ever show Farke that he is of use at Elland Road.