Joe Gelhardt Leeds United exit latest with reported Hull City stance but wages concern — YEP 6/7/26

By Kyle Newbould

Returning Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt’s future could be complicated by an Elland Road pay-rise, according to reports.

Gelhardt spent the last 18 months at Hull City over two separate loan spells, initially joining for the second half of the 2024/25 season before a year-long move for 2025/26. That campaign saw the 24-year-old register an impressive 15 goals and four assists as part of a memorable campaign at the MKM Stadium.

Hull finished sixth in the Championship, sneaking into the play-offs before managing to win it with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley. Gelhardt made clear throughout the 2025/26 season he’d be open to a permanent move and that is unlikely to have changed following promotion.

Indeed, Hull Live report that interest in a longer-term commitment remains on both sides, with Gelhardt keen to sign and the Tigers keen to welcome him back. But it’s far from a foregone conclusion, with a permanent transfer this summer labelled a ‘distinct possibility’ but unlikely to happen in the window’s early weeks.

A potential issue for the newly-promoted club could be financial, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting that Gelhardt is set to receive a pay-rise at parent club Leeds. The Liverpudlian has just entered the final year of his Elland Road deal and matching those terms would represent a ‘major investment’ for Hull.

It’s unclear exactly what might have triggered Gelhardt's pay-rise, but it’s not uncommon for wage increases to be pencilled in over the course of a longer-term deal. Leeds squad members might also have seen their salary improved as a result of surviving Premier League relegation, although none of the above is known.

According to Nixon’s report, Hull could now decide to explore ‘cheaper alternatives’ with competition for Gelhardt expected to be more intense than this time a year ago. The young forward is likely to have attracted plenty of attention during his 15-goal campaign, which could easily have been more were it not for a two-month injury absence.

While it remains to be seen where Gelhardt’s next move will be, it feels more likely than not he’ll leave Leeds this summer. The forward had no place in Daniel Farke’s attacking unit last season and that group is set to be strengthened, with imminent free agent arrival Harry Wilson operating in similar positions.

Leeds wanted between £3-4million for Gelhardt last summer before eventually loaning him to Hull, who were under an embargo prohibiting them from paying any kind of transfer fee. That could prove a great decision with the youngster’s price-tag likely to have increased.