Leeds United need to trim their squad in terms of the wage bill and raise some funds for PSR, with too many players currently in Daniel Farke’s first-team squad.
A number of Leeds United players are on the fringes of the squad and out-of-favour, which is why it has been revealed that there are eight players who can now leave Leeds permanently.
There have already been upgrades to the first-team squad across most areas of the pitch, and a number of the current Championship side will be moved on if they are deemed incapable of operating in the Premier League.
That is perhaps why Leeds are willing to listen to offers for Joe Gelhardt and the 23-year-old attacker has hinted at leaving Leeds for more regular first-team football as well.
Joe Gelhardt in action for Hull City vs Oxford United.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Hull City close in on second Joe Gelhardt loan
Gelhardt did not travel with the pre-season group to either Sweden or Germany after a loan to Hull City to end last season.
Despite having two years on his contract and having benefitted from two Championship loans during his time at Leeds — Hull and Sunderland — Don Goodman believes Leeds should let Gelhardt go for the good of his career.
Joe Gelhardt’s career stats Appearances Goals Assists
Wigan Athletic 21 1 0
Leeds United 57 3 5
Sunderland 20 3 3
Hull City 20 5 0
His minutes so far have all been with the likes of Sam Greenwood, Patrick Bamford, and Jonny Howson for the U-21 team.
It’s thought that a transfer fee between £3 million and 4 million is required for Gelhardt to leave. There was talk of Gelhardt going to Rangers at one stage, but that was swiftly quashed as untrue at the Rangers end.
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One solution is that Wrexham could have been an answer for Gelhardt, while there were numerous Hull fans desperate for Gelhardt to sign permanently at the MKM Stadium.
Instead, Leeds are loaning out the versatile forward again, with Hull the benefactors once more. Gelhardt spent six months there from January onwards, but is now set for a season-long loan to the club.
Hull Live’s Baz Cooper states talks are well advanced with Leeds to get a season-long loan deal completed this week, and that it is understood Gelhardt expressed his determination to return to the MKM after a positive spell moving from West to East Yorkshire last season.
Farke claimed, via The Athletic, that Gelhardt’s shot power could “kill a cow” given the venom he generates when given time and space; and Hull have seen that firsthand.
Hull City AFC v Coventry City FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Why only a loan for Joe Gelhardt?
When the 23-year-old penned a contract until 2027 back in the summer of 2022, Victor Orta was the one to hand him fresh terms after moving from Wigan Athletic. Leeds United News have learned more about the nature of said terms since.
That contract was far beyond what was a sensible wage for a Premier League club tying a then 20-year-old down to a long-term deal. Of course, since promotion, his wages have now gone back up to what they were over the last two years in the Championship.
It makes a sale incredibly difficult, given that Gelhardt would have to forego a huge portion of his current wage to push through a move. Leeds instead will be covering some of his astronomical salary during the next season.
Hull are also under an embargo that only allows them to sign players on loan or on free transfers; that combination is why Leeds are having to loan and not sell Gelhardt.
In a year’s time, he will be in the final year of his Leeds contract and perhaps then easier to sell.