Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Thu 16 April 2026 18:00, UK

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Leeds United boss Daniel Farke should give Joe Gelhardt another chance to prove his worth to the club as he outperforms reported transfer target Leo Scienza in the Championship this season.

Brazilian outlet RTI Sport recently reported that Leeds are among several top-flight sides keeping tabs on Southampton star Scienza ahead of the summer window.

He has been key to the Saints’ promotion charge this season and is believed to have a £25million release clause in his contract after joining from FC Heidenheim last year.

Scienza has been impressive in his debut campaign in English football, but Leeds’ interest is misplaced as Gelhardt also shines on loan at Hull.

Gelhardt currently looks set to leave Elland Road this summer, but he should not be included in Leeds’ transfer plans if they are targeting a move for Scienza.

Leeds should keep Joe Gelhardt rather than move for Leo Scienza

Gelhardt has never truly managed to nail down a place in Leeds’ first team squad, despite making his senior debut for the club back in 2021.

The 23-year-old finally looks to be realising his potential at Hull this season, as he has been a key part of their unlikely promotion push under Sergej Jakirovic.

Gelhardt has registered the seventh-most goal contributions in the Championship, with 17, yet looks set to leave Leeds this summer with one year left on his contract.

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Rangers are front-runners to sign Gelhardt as it stands, but Farke should keep him on if they are looking to sign Scienza to bolster a similar position for next term.

Gelhardt has outperformed the Brazilian playmaker in numerous metrics in the Championship this season, and would simply return to the club for free rather than cost around £25m.

With Leeds looking to build and improve next season if they avoid relegation, Scienza does not necessarily feel like a signing that will move the needle and clearly improve their starting side.

It would, therefore, make little sense to sign him for a relatively sizeable fee when they already have Gelhardt on their books, who is four years younger, knows all about Farke’s demands, and has shown similar levels in the same league this season.

What has Gelhardt said about his future at Leeds and Hull?

Gelhardt has spoken openly about what could happen regarding his next move this summer, with Hull fans surely pleased to know that he has not ruled out a permanent move to the KCOM Stadium.

Speaking to BBC Humberside at the start of this month, he said: “It’d be stupid to say no (to joining Hull permanently) because I’ve played my best year of football here; it’s obviously more difficult than just making a decision, but yeah, pretty much.

“I’m enjoying it that much, yeah, I love playing for this club. Nothing’s certain in football, and things change, but we can only take it game by game. I think everyone knows how much I love it here.”

Gelhardt also admitted that he has not spoken to anyone at Leeds since the start of this season, so a decision on his future is clearly being put to one side until the summer.

The 23-year-old should certainly be considered as an option for the Whites next season, especially as they target the best of the best in the Championship.