What happens next at Leeds United as Joe Gelhardt to Birmingham City rumours explained

Leeds United's Joe Gelhardt is now on the radar of Birmingham City.

Strong rumours have circulated online about the forward possibly moving to St. Andrews recently, though no deal is thought to be close yet.

The 24-year-old has spent the last 18 months on loan with Hull City, helping the Tigers get to the Premier League after beating Middlesbrough in the play-off final.

He scored 15 goals for Sergej Jakirovic's side last term, and it's understood that he is wanted back at the MKM Stadium.

However, the versatile attacker is a wanted man, with Chris Davies' Birmingham the latest side said to be interested.

Things have just become even more complicated at Leeds, with Gelhardt ready to leave Elland Road this summer.

What's next for Leeds as Birmingham's Joe Gelhardt interest verified

It's understood that Gelhardt wants to leave Leeds, given he has no future under Daniel Farke at Elland Road.

The Englishman performed well in the Championship last season and is understandably a wanted target by many clubs in the country.

MOT Leeds News understands that Gelhardt has secured a new bumper wage at Leeds after entering the final 12 months of his deal in LS11, which may have thrown a spanner in the works for a move to his former loan side.

Humberside Sport journalist, Mike White, has clarified that Birmingham indeed hold an interest in bringing Gelhardt back to the Championship, though nothing is advanced, contrary to some suggestions on X.

It's said that several clubs are speaking to both Leeds and the player over a transfer, though an outstanding destination has yet to be discovered.

Leeds will need to find a club who are willing to meet their financial demands, but it will also need to be a side that Gelhardt is happy to join, too.

In the midst of the speculation, Hull boss Jakirovic has spoken out on the situation.

What Sergej Jakirovic has said about Gelhardt return

Leeds would be in line for a healthy profit should they sell Gelhardt, but they will want to make sure his departure is signed off this window with his contract and value running down quickly.

Hull always seemed like the favoured destination for the former Wigan Athletic striker, with Jakirovic a fan of his.

The Hull boss has been speaking about Gelhardt to BBC Humberside Sport and said: "If it's my decision he will be here with us. We have to wait.

"I know everything about Joe. If nobody comes, I would like to sign Joe. There's no resistance, but we are trying to sign better player[s]."

What the Bosnian is suggesting is that Hull are working to sign Premier League-proven players, and admits that a process to bring Gelhardt back to the MKM Stadium is "very slow".

This may alter the player's thinking moving forward, as Leeds will be keen to resolve the situation as soon as possible.