(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Sat 7 March 2026 7:45, UK

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Hull City are planning to make a permanent move for Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt in the summer after what has been a successful loan spell.

The 23-year-old has scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 28 Championship games so far this season, with Hull retaining lofty ambitions of promotion.

Sergej Jakirovic’s side are currently fifth in the league table, with seven points separating them from seventh-placed Southampton and look likely to reach the playoffs.

Regardless of their promotion hopes, however, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Hull hope to keep Gelhardt at the MKM Stadium.

Leeds are expected to be open to letting the forward leave permanently after another spell away on loan, but will demand a good fee as Daniel Farke accelerates new signing plans.

Joe Gelhardt likely to make permanent Leeds exit

Brown first told Football Insider over a year ago that Gelhardt is keen to move on from Leeds, and while he remains on the books, he is hopeful of securing a permanent move.

The forward has made 57 appearances for the Whites since joining in 2020, and is already nearing that number from his two loan spells at Hull, who are keen to extend his stay.

“Gelhardt is a very talented player,” Brown told Football Insider.

“He’s had a good reputation for a while, but he’s never really been able to cut it at Leeds, so it’s good to see him playing well for Hull.

“There have been a lot of changes at Hull over the years, it feels like they’re busy in every transfer window, so it would be good for them to have some continuity.

“It would be good for Gelhardt as well, because he wasn’t getting in at Leeds and won’t want to keep bouncing around different clubs on loan.

“He’s been very impressive at Hull and they want to be ambitious, so I think it’s the best case for both of them to keep him, and I expect that’s what Hull are going to be looking to do.

“If the offer is right for Leeds, and it has to be right for them because they’ll want to reinvest and strengthen their squad, there’s a good chance it can be done.”

Joel Piroe could be forced out of Leeds

Glehardt is not the only forward who could be on his way out of Elland Road in the summer, as speculation continues to surround Joel Piroe.

Football Insider revealed on 24 February that Piroe could be forced out of Leeds this summer as he has fallen down the pecking order under Farke’s management.

A move to Rangers could be on the cards thanks to their links with 49ers Enterprises, while a number of Championship clubs are keeping tabs on his situation.

Meanwhile, the Whites aim to strengthen their squad this summer if they survive in the Premier League, and that looks set to push the striker even further down the pecking order.

Farke’s side are currently three points above West Ham in the relegation zone, with Tottenham and Nottingham Forest between them, and are hopeful of staying up.