Joe Gelhardt to Birmingham City Miss Was a 'Blessing in Disguise

Birmingham City missed out on Joe Gelhardt — and a fan pundit says it was for the best

Birmingham City's failure to sign Joe Gelhardt was a 'blessing in disguise', according to the club's FLW fan pundit Jason Moore, who argues Jay Stansfield has earned the number 10 role instead. Gelhardt joined Hull City permanently for a £6.5m package despite heavy Birmingham interest, then praised Blues' conduct.

Headline: Birmingham City fan pundit Jason Moore calls the Joe Gelhardt transfer miss a 'blessing in disguise'
Deal: Gelhardt joined Hull City in a £6.5m package despite being heavily linked with Birmingham and Wrexham
Context: Chris Davies' side have made a strong start to the Championship season
Fan verdict: Moore would rather sign a playmaker 'number 10' in January and keep Jay Stansfield as a second striker
Targets: Birmingham were also linked with Adrian Segecic, Anis Mehmeti, Cesar Gelabert and Josh Windass

Deal details

Gelhardt's eventual move to Hull was a permanent return to East Yorkshire after two separate loan spells with the Tigers, and it was sealed for a package worth £6.5m. Birmingham and Wrexham had both been heavily linked with the Liverpudlian during the summer window.

The 24-year-old began his career at Wigan Athletic before making a £1m switch to Elland Road six years ago. Under Daniel Farke he found gametime extremely hard to come by and was loaned to Sunderland and, twice, to Hull. His goals were crucial in staving off relegation to League One in 2024/25 and in aiding what the source describes as the most unexpected of play-off wins under Sergej Jakirovic.

Football League World reports that Hull moved to finalise the deal as Birmingham circled, putting their focus on other deals before agreeing the package for Gelhardt.

What was said

"I thought I was going to come back here, but then as the off-season went on, I sort of got my head around it a little bit that maybe it might not happen."
— Joe Gelhardt on his move to Hull City

"Birmingham showed interest, and they were top class the whole way through. They were very understanding when I did nearly join, and Hull came when they rang, so they were very understanding, and they were top class as I say all the way through it, so credit to them."
— Joe Gelhardt on Birmingham City's conduct

"I mean, hindsight's a wonderful thing, isn't it? He looked like he was exactly what we needed. He probably still is what we need, to be fair, with the way we set up, with the press, with the '10' being more like a second striker."
— Jason Moore, FLW Birmingham City fan pundit

"For me, I don't think I'd want him. I think Jay's been in pretty decent form even though he's not scoring, which seems like an odd thing to say."
— Jason Moore

"For me, I think it probably has been a blessing in disguise. I think we still probably need to go and get that playmaker sort of '10' that offers something a bit different and we can switch it up."
— Jason Moore

"He would have been a quality signing, so I'm not going to pretend that I wouldn't have him. But if I was to, right here, right now, say which one I'd prefer, I would still rather go and get a playmaker '10' and have Jay as a 'Gelhardt-type' player that we've got as a second striker."
— Jason Moore

"A blessing in disguise. Jay looks decent, and I think the goals will come. I think, in January, go and get a '10' that wants the ball at his feet and will play with it a bit better than what Jay probably does."
— Jason Moore

The quotes show a player who holds no grudge and a fanbase content with the alternative route. Gelhardt explicitly credits Birmingham for how they handled a deal that collapsed late — a detail that matters if the two parties ever revisit a move.

Moore's verdict is more nuanced than a simple rejection. He concedes Gelhardt 'probably still is' what Birmingham need, but frames the loss in terms of role and profile rather than quality.

Injury and availability

Gelhardt is just starting to get his season in motion after a pre-season injury. He waited until mid-September for his first top-flight minutes since 2023 and returned to the scoresheet in Hull's 2-2 draw with Everton on October 10th.

The numbers

£6.5m — the package Hull City agreed for Joe Gelhardt
£1m — the fee that took Gelhardt from Wigan Athletic to Elland Road six years ago
24 — Gelhardt's age at the time of the move
Seven — signings Birmingham City recruited this season, including returns for James Beadle and Jhon Solis either on loan or permanently
2-2 — Hull's draw with Everton on October 10th, in which Gelhardt scored

Why Birmingham's 'number 10' question is bigger than Gelhardt

Chris Davies has refined his tactical approach this season and it has already got the best out of his playmakers and centre-forwards. Patrick Roberts, Liam Millar, Jay Stansfield and August Priske have all benefited. Millar, on loan from Hull City, has particularly impressed — meaning the Gelhardt domino effect cut both ways between the two clubs.

The tactical detail in Moore's argument is the role of the '10'. Davies wants a player pressing as a second striker, and Stansfield fits that brief. Where Birmingham then lack is a different type: someone who wants the ball at his feet and links play with more variety. That is the gap Moore wants filling in January, not the Gelhardt gap.

Birmingham's American owners want Premier League football as soon as possible, and Davies has been given ample support across his tenure to deliver it. That backing now makes January a decision point, not a hope. More attacking depth could unlock promotion — and a genuine creator behind Stansfield would give Davies two different routes into the same shape.

The wider list of summer targets underlines the club's ambition. Birmingham were credited with interest in Adrian Segecic, Anis Mehmeti, Cesar Gelabert and Josh Windass alongside Gelhardt. Davies already has versatile options, but the depth of that interest shows recruitment staff knew a creator was missing. Marvin Ducksch's immediate future also remains subject to speculation, and the source suggests a high-quality replacement for the German could be needed.

Talking points

Jason Moore admits Gelhardt 'probably still is' what Birmingham need — so is this a blessing in disguise or a lucky escape dressed as one?
Stansfield is holding the second-striker role without scoring freely. Should Birmingham tolerate modest output if the team keeps winning?
Birmingham tracked Segecic, Mehmeti, Gelabert and Windass. Which profile actually solves the creativity problem Davies has left open?
With Ducksch's future uncertain, does January need to deliver one signing or two to realistically push for promotion?

What happens next

Birmingham City return to Championship action with Davies' side looking to build on their strong start, while the January window becomes the clear deadline for the creative signing Moore is demanding. Hull, meanwhile, will monitor Gelhardt's fitness as he rebuilds after a pre-season injury. The next fortnight of league fixtures should clarify whether Birmingham's current attack can cope without another number 10.

Frequently asked questions

Did Birmingham City sign Joe Gelhardt?

No. Gelhardt joined Hull City permanently in a £6.5m package despite being heavily linked with Birmingham City and Wrexham.

Why do Birmingham City fans call the Gelhardt miss a blessing in disguise?

Fan pundit Jason Moore argues Jay Stansfield has performed well in the second-striker role and would rather see Birmingham sign a playmaker number 10 instead.