Agent's verdict on Joe Gelhardt Leeds United to Hull City transfer with Jarrod Bowen example
Leeds United and Hull City are likely to hold some talks over the future of Joe Gelhardt.
A former Hull City forward turned agent believes Joe Gelhardt can be ‘effective’ in the Premier League if he leaves Leeds United for the MKM Stadium permanently this summer.
Gelhardt has spent the last 18 months on loan at Hull in two separate spells, initially joining for the second-half of last season and enjoying regular football. The 24-year-old returned in the summer and has kicked on massively, with 15 goals in 42 games helping the Tigers reach the Premier League via Championship play-off final victory over Middlesbrough.
While Gelhardt’s top-flight opportunities with Leeds were fleeting - he started six games and made 29 substitute appearances across two seasons - the youngster enjoyed some memorable moments. The Liverpudlian most notably scored a dramatic late winner at home to Norwich City in March 2022 which contributed towards survival.
Former Hull forward Stephen Hunt now has several of Gelhardt’s teammates on his books as an agent and has backed the Leeds youngster to succeed, should a permanent move go ahead. He also offered an intriguing comparison to one recently-relegated winger who has shown an ability to get goals from similar positions.
"Joe Gelhardt, I think he's a very, very good player," Hunt told the 1904 Club podcast. "I think he can play in the Premier League. He never really had that opportunity.
“He had a flash with it with Leeds. I think he's ready to play in the Premier League, and he can be effective. You look at Jarrod Bowen, who's a left-footed right-winger who's scored goals in the Premier League.
"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. It gives yourself a chance."
Joe Gelhardt transfer latest amid Hull City promotion
While Hull might be keen to sign Gelhardt permanently ahead of their Premier League return, it’s no guarantee as they don’t have a permanent option inserted into the loan deal. The Tigers were under an EFL transfer embargo last summer, preventing them from committing to any kind of fee-paying deal at the time.
That will be lifted going into this summer but means any fee for Gelhardt will need to be negotiated. Leeds were hoping to get between £3-4m for the young forward last year but could reasonably expect more following a Championship campaign in which he scored 15 goals and impressed massively.
Leeds signed the former Wigan Athletic youngster for just £1m following their own promotion in 2020, meaning they would be almost certain to generate a decent profit. Gelhardt’s Elland Road contract expires next summer.