£three million fee, no bids: why Joe Gelhardt’s Leeds exit has stalled | OneFootball

Joe Gelhardt’s exit from Leeds United has stalled, with the striker still in limbo despite a prolific loan at Hull City of 15 goals and six assists.

Alan Nixon said on his Patreon page that "Wages are a bit high for anyone".

The 24-year-old is into the final year of his Elland Road contract, with a reported £three million asking price and hopes in early June of sparking a multi-club auction.

He did not feature in the club’s pre-season training gallery from Thorp Arch on Tuesday, 21 July. Ethan Ampadu, Joel Piroe, Dan James and new signing Harry Wilson were pictured, while Gelhardt, Jack Harrison and Largie Ramazani were absent.

His Premier League-level deal has created a financial bottleneck. Championship sides able to pay a fee are reluctant to break wage structures, Hull would take a risk matching top-tier salaries, and Premier League teams hesitate over a player viewed as Championship-proven rather than a plug-in starter.

Leeds delayed a decision to test the market in June, a tactic that has backfired. The club may now need to subsidise wages to facilitate a move, or carry an expensive, out-of-plan asset until the deal expires.

Source: Leedsunited.news