The forward has 20 goals and six assists in 64 games in City colours
Joe Gelhardt in action for Hull City in the play-off final win over Middlesbrough(Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A former Manchester United chief scout believes signing Joe Gelhardt would represent a smart piece of transfer business for newly-promoted Hull City.
Gelhardt bagged 15 goals for City during a second successful loan spell from Leeds United, adding to the five he scored to help keep the Tigers in the Championship last season.
The 24-year-old has one year left on his Elland Road contract and is expected to be allowed to move on this summer, and United are open to doing business. Ex-Red Devils scout Mick Brown has backed the Tigers to get the deal done.
Gelhardt wants to return to the MKM Stadium, and City are expected to pursue a deal as the Tigers look to bolster their ranks ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
“Hull are very keen to keep Joe Gelhardt at the club,” Brown said in conversation with Football Insider. “It’s difficult when you’re in their position, and you win promotion to the Premier League when maybe you weren’t necessarily expecting that just yet.
“The squad is weaker than maybe anybody else’s at this level, but you also have the problem of what markets you’re going to be able to shop in.
“You’re competing with other, more established Premier League clubs now, which means clubs with more money and more reasons to attract players.
“So when somebody like Gelhardt, who has spent a good period at the club, is available, they have to make sure they can get a deal done.
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“From what I’m told, he’s not going to be part of Leeds plans, and they want to sell, so that could mean Hull can get it done at a reasonable price, which will be a boost.
“They’re not going to have the money that other Premier League clubs do, so if they can do a discounted deal, they have to look at it. For Leeds, they want to improve their squad in other areas, so if they can move Gelhardt on quickly, it could give them the money to invest elsewhere in their side.”
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