Everything Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic said on Joe Gelhardt amid Leeds United exit latest
Hull City are working on bringing Leeds United attacker Joe Gelhardt back to the MKM Stadium this summer.
Gelhardt scored 15 Championship goals last season to help fire the Tigers back to the Premier League, via the play-offs.
The 24-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements at Elland Road after struggling to make a consistent impact.
As such, Gelhardt - who arrived from Wigan Athletic back in 2020 - is expected to be allowed to depart on a full transfer this summer.
Hull's interest had seemingly cooled earlier in the summer, but they once again appear to be in the lead and Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic has spoken on the club's pursuit.
What has Sergej Jakirovic said about Hull City's Joe Gelhardt pursuit?
Gelhardt is a man in demand this summer.
Championship big-spenders Wrexham have been linked with a move during the transfer window.
Birmingham City were also said to be in the race for Gelhardt, who has no future at Elland Road.
However, Jakirovic has pushed Hull's hierarchy to start talks for Gelhardt, and reports suggest they hope to have him in by the weekend.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Jakirovic has provided an update on Hull's pursuit.
He said: "There is no doubt about Joe Gelhardt. For me, no doubt. For me, Joe Gelhardt proved everything on the pitch.
“Last season, contribution, how many goals? 15. He loves Hull City, he wants to be here, he’s very happy here, this is just, I think, also a matter of time when we will finish this job.”
Who else could leave Leeds United?
Gelhardt is not the only one Leeds are looking to offload during the transfer window.
Centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw is expected to join Hamburg, despite only moving to Leeds last summer.
Largie Ramazani has returned from a loan spell at Valencia, but is not in Daniel Farke's plans and will be allowed to find a new club.
Joel Piroe is also facing an uncertain future. Leeds want to sign a new attacker, which would push the Dutch forward further down the pecking order.
He did not feature at all in the past two pre-season friendlies, so it feels like Leeds would accomodate his exit if a buyer can be found.