Agent calls on Hull City to make Joe Gelhardt move permanent

Joe Gelhardt's representative has urged Hull City to trigger the buy clause in the striker's loan agreement from Leeds United, according to reports from Leeds Live. The 23-year-old forward has been on loan at the MKM Stadium since the summer, and his agent believes a permanent switch would benefit all parties.

Loan spell at Hull City

Gelhardt joined Hull City in the 2025 summer transfer window on a season-long loan from Leeds United. The Yorkshire club inserted an option-to-buy clause, which Hull have yet to activate. The forward has made 18 appearances for the Tigers across all competitions, scoring 4 goals and providing 2 assists.

The former England youth international has primarily been used as a substitute, with manager Tim Walter often preferring Oscar Estupinan or Liam Delap in the starting XI. Despite limited minutes, Gelhardt has shown glimpses of his predatory instincts, particularly in a 2–1 win over Middlesbrough in October where he scored a late winner.

Tactical fit and pressing system

Gelhardt's agent has emphasised that the striker's style suits Hull's high-pressing system under Walter. Gelhardt is known for his work rate off the ball, averaging 12.3 pressures per 90 minutes (top 20% among Championship forwards). He also boasts a 7.2% conversion rate from shots inside the box.

At Leeds, Gelhardt was part of Marcelo Bielsa's and later Daniel Farke's systems, both of which demand intense pressing. However, with Leeds currently fighting for promotion back to the Premier League, Gelhardt's path to first-team football at Elland Road is blocked by the likes of Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph.

Transfer market context

The reported buy clause is believed to be in the region of £3–4 million, a modest fee for a player of Gelhardt's potential. Similar permanent deals involving Championship loans—such as Jan Paul van Hecke to Brighton or Viktor Gyokeres to Coventry—highlight that low-risk investments can yield significant returns if the player develops.

  • Gelhardt has 2 years remaining on his Leeds contract (until 2027), plus a club option for an additional year.
  • Hull City's current top scorer, Oscar Estupinan, has 8 goals in 26 games, while Gelhardt's 4 in 18 is slightly below that rate.
  • Data from FBref shows Gelhardt ranks in the 85th percentile for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.38) among Championship forwards.

For Fantasy Championship managers, Gelhardt is priced at £5.2 million (average ownership 3.4%). Hull's upcoming fixtures include trips to relegation-threatened Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday, which could boost his minutes if he secures a starting role.

What next?

Hull City's decision deadline is likely the end of the January transfer window, as Leeds may seek a permanent sale if the option is not triggered. The Tigers are 12th in the Championship table, 8 points clear of the relegation zone but also 7 points off the play-off places. A permanent deal for Gelhardt would represent a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix, but the agent's public statement puts pressure on the Hull board to act or risk losing a promising forward.

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