Credit: Imago

Jacob Raw

Wed 3 June 2026 8:40, UK

Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt enjoyed a truly successful season with Hull City, and may be playing in the Premier League one way or another very soon.

The Whites sent the 24-year-old back to the MKM Stadium last summer after he spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan with the Tigers.

Gelhardt is set to walk through the doors at Thorp Arch once more this summer, but after helping Hull City achieve promotion back to the big time, he could see his move made permanent.

The Tigers do not have a buy option in the loan contract for the Englishman, but this summer presents their first time frame in three windows to purchase players after suffering a transfer embargo.

Hull may want to sign Gelhardt permanently, but right now, the Whites could have their own thoughts about keeping the attacking midfielder.

Joe Gelhardt is ‘ready’ for Premier League step up

Leeds may ask for around £8.6million for Gelhardt if Hull do come back in for the forward, but whether they will pursue his extended stay is yet to be seen.

This summer presents the Whites’ final chance to get a decent fee for the former Wigan Athletic star, who is out of contract at Elland Road in 2027.

While speaking on the 1904 Club podcast, ex-Premier League star Stephen Hunt, who also once played for Hull, seemed to be keen on the idea of Gelhardt re-signing for Hull permanently, and suggested he would be a top-flight success if he moved.

Hunt said, speaking from a Hull perspective: “Gelhardt, I think he’s a very, very good player. I think he can play in the Premier League. He never really had that opportunity. I think he’s ready to play in the Premier League, and he can be effective.

“You’d probably end up playing three along the top, 3-4-3 or whatever way you look at it, with two real sitters in midfield, and it gives yourself a chance.”

Gelhardt grabbed 19 goals and assists in the Championship, and finished as one of the highest output performers in the division.

Hull won the alleged most expensive game in football by being promoted via the Play-offs, and with an injection of over £200million, it remains to be seen whether the Leeds star will be at the top of their list or not.

This is Leeds’ dilemma with Gelhardt

Daniel Farke is keen to sign a left-footed attacker who can play central or on the right. Gelhardt is a left-footed forward.

The German head coach often deploys a three-forward formation, with one striker and two attacking midfielders playing behind the lone number nine.

Brenden Aaronson is likely to be upgraded this summer, but Leeds could have an in-house replacement with Gelhardt.

The main reason why he could be given a chance can be seen in Paraag Marathe’s recent admission, where he stated that the Whites may struggle this summer with transfers.

That being said, there may be a willingness to give Gelhardt one final chance in pre-season, or if not, his sale would look good on the new Squad Cost Ratio books.