Joe Gelhardt will be a Premier League player next season, Leeds United must avoid transfer blunder
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Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media Tue 12 May 2026 8:31, UK Joe Gelhardt appears set to take the next big step in his career, and it’s up to Leeds United whether he does that at Elland Road.Despite sending the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Hull City, the 23-year-old’s current contract expires in the summer of 2027, so he has time to earn a new deal next season.Of course, the Tigers would love to keep him at the MKM Stadium, notching 15 goals and five assists in 43 games, including one goal in the play-off semi-final, but Leeds still hold the upper hand.While he has struggled to produce similar numbers in any of his seasons at Elland Road, he was just a youngster during that time, so Leeds’s transfer chiefs must seriously contemplate bringing him back permanently. 🔄 Leeds United Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on latest signings, departures, and contract news from the Elland Road boardroom. VISIT THE LEEDS TRANSFER HUBJoe Gelhardt could make a dramatic return to Leeds UnitedHull have now booked their spot in the Championship play-off final, taking on either Middlesbrough or Southampton after a 2-0 second-leg win over Millwall on Monday, 11 May.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Whether he’s a Premier League player via promotion and a transfer, or he stays in Daniel Farke’s squad this summer, the attacker is bound to be playing in the top flight of English football next term.And given the Whites’ league status and impressive performances in 2025-26, his most likely chance of staying in the Premier League long term would be to earn a spot back in West Yorkshire.Joe Gelhardt’s 2025-26 Championship campaignStats [FotMob]Minutes played2826Goals14Assists4Chances created34Successful dribbles47.6%Tackles per 901.72Recoveries per 904.08While Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor have both impressed in front of goal, Farke doesn’t have the greatest options in the final third, and Gelhardt can play anywhere across the front line.Gelhardt’s return could spell bad news for stars at Elland RoadRangers remain interested in Gelhardt, with the two clubs interlinked by the owners, but Leeds still have a chance to salvage what remains for one of their own young talents.That could mean departures for multiple of Farke’s current players, many of whom aren’t being given proper minutes in the first team due to the nature of the challenges this season.All three of Joel Piroe, Willy Gnonto and Dan James have either struggled with injuries or just aren’t rated highly enough to be trusted, and any one of them leaving would open the door for Gelhardt to shine.Farke hasn’t had the luxury so far of moving any of them on. This summer, though, that could all be about to change, especially if Gelhardt returns to Elland Road permanently. 🚨 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Leeds United Insider Access Get the full story from Elland Road and Thorp Arch with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of West Yorkshire.