Hull City have reportedly reopened the possibility of signing Joe Gelhardt from Leeds United on a permanent basis after a summer of shifting interest and internal debate at the MKM Stadium.
Manager presses for talks as club weighs up Premier League step
The 24-year-old striker, who spent two successful loan spells at Hull and scored 15 goals in 42 Championship appearances last season, is understood to be the subject of renewed attention from the Tigers after doubts were raised within the club about whether he could make the step up to the Premier League.
BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White reported on social media that Gelhardt returning to Hull was now "back on the table" after discussions. Sources say manager Sergej Jakirovic has pushed for the club to open fresh talks with Leeds United over the forward, who played a prominent role in Hull's promotion push.
Gelhardt, who joined Leeds from Wigan Athletic in August 2020, has twice served Hull on loan and produced a productive 2025-26 campaign in the Championship. His Championship return has seen other clubs linked with a move — Wrexham and Birmingham City have been reported as potential suitors — but it is Hull's revived interest that will matter most to local supporters.
Record and route back to Hull
Gelhardt's record at Hull and his wider senior numbers for Leeds are often cited when assessing his fit for the Premier League. Published figures for the forward include:
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| Goals in 2025-26 Championship season | 15 |
| Appearances in 2025-26 Championship season | 42 |
| Senior appearances for Leeds United (to date) | 57 |
Those numbers underline why Jakirovic sees Gelhardt as a known quantity who could bolster Hull's attacking options. But the club's hierarchy have been weighing whether the player who excelled in the Championship can replicate that influence at Premier League level — a key factor which had previously cooled transfer momentum.
Voices backing a return
Local and regional commentary has been favourable about a reunion. Former Hull manager Peter Taylor, speaking on The 1904 Club podcast, argued that backing the manager's recruitment judgment makes sense, stressing the potential value of signing a player who is known to the club and its supporters.
“If the manager wants him, then I think the owner should back him 100 per cent,” Peter Taylor said, noting the manager’s achievement and the potential upside of bringing Gelhardt back to Hull.
National pundits and former players have also praised Gelhardt's potential. Jamie Carragher once described him as a "special talent", a tag that will raise expectations among supporters if talks progress.
Local consequences and next steps
For Hull City the decision is both sporting and financial. Re-signing a forward who played a central part in promotion would provide continuity and familiarity in attack — an advantage when a newly promoted side prepares for the demands of the top flight. At the same time the club must be careful over transfer fees and wages in a market where Championship clubs and ambitious rivals may also show interest.
- Sporting impact: Gelhardt's finishing record in the Championship would boost Hull's options up front.
- Financial risk: Club leaders must balance wage and transfer cost against the possibility of Premier League success or resale value.
- Timing: With the summer window active, talks between Hull and Leeds would need to move swiftly if both clubs are to reach an agreement.
Any permanent move will now depend on fresh negotiations between Hull City and Leeds United and on whether the Tigers' board are prepared to back Jakirovic's assessment. For supporters, the prospect of seeing a familiar figure leading the line again will be watched closely in the coming days.
