The Tigers hope to welcome back one of their star men later this month
Acun Ilicali says he would love to sign Joe Gelhardt permanently from Leeds United, though he admits striking any deal this summer is difficult.
Gelhardt returned to the club in the summer after playing a key role in helping keep the Tigers in the Championship, turning down more lucrative moves elsewhere to rejoin City.
His decision to come back has proved to be a terrific one with the 23-year-old excelling this season, with 10 goals and two assists in 19 games.
That included a run of eight goals in 10 games, before he suffered a calf injury during the 4-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough at the start of last month. He’s expected to return to fitness later in January.
As it stands, City would be unable to make a permanent move for the ex-Wigan Athletic ace this month, but providing they do not rack up any more late payments, they’ll be able to trade normally in the summer.
And given their lofty league position going into the second half of the season, City remain very much in the race to win promotion to the Premier League, which would change things again.
“Gelhardt is a special boy,” Ilicali told Hull Live. “The fans know the story about how much he pushed to come here, plus how much he sacrificed to come back to Hull City.
“I think Gelhardt is a special person, and for us, our target is to be with him permanently, so he’s our own player. Of course, it is not something that is easy for us, but Jared and I did crazy things last summer, and I can say that we are on form, and I give us a good chance. I believe that we have the strength and power to manage, to succeed, to bring Joe Gelhardt into our family permanently.”
Given Gelhardt’s electric form, there was some concern from fans that he could be recalled by Leeds and then sold on in January, but Ilicali believes that’s unlikely.
It’s understood that the Whites only have a short window in which to recall Gelhardt under the terms of their loan agreement, and as it stands, there are no plans to do so, especially given how content the player is at the MKM Stadium and keen to spearhead a promotion push.
“I don’t think so because he’s already injured,” Ilicali said when asked if there was any chance of him leaving. “We have a good clean connection with Leeds United and, I’m sure that they’re happy that at the moment their player is happy. They’re doing better now in the Premier League, and I don’t expect them to call him back.”
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