'The problem is' - Hull City owner Acun Ilicali outlines stance on Leeds United's Joe Gelhardt
Acun Ilicali has outlined Hull City’s stance on a potential reunion with Leeds United’s Joe Gelhardt
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has revealed a decision will be made on Leeds United’s Joe Gelhardt following the completion of the club’s “major” transfer deals.
Gelhardt has had two productive loan spells at the MKM Stadium but does not appear to have a future at Elland Road.
The versatile attacker has not travelled with Leeds for their pre-season tour of the USA, with a summer switch away from West Yorkshire seemingly on the cards.
Hull have been credited with interest in a reunion with ‘Joffy’, who delivered a 15-goal haul to help the Tigers seal promotion to the Premier League last season.
Joe Gelhardt stance outlined
Ilicali has not ruled out a return for the 24-year-old, although has insisted the decision will be made by manager Sergej Jakirovic.
He told BBC Radio Humberside: “I cannot say yes or no at the moment. After we finish our major transfers [we will decide]. I love Gelhardt. For me, he is a fantastic, fantastic boy. We have lived so many successes together. But this is our coach’s decision.
“[The] Gelhardt part, after our coach sees the squad, what we will bring to him, we will decide about Gelhardt. We will wait for the coach’s decision.”
Playing time under consideration
The wait until the completion of other deals will allow Jakirovic to assess how prominently Gelhardt is likely to feature in his plans.
Given the former England youth international thrived as a regular last season, he is unlikely to be content kicking his heels.
Ilicali explained: “I think we have good connections with Leeds. They just let us get him twice. If we want to get him again, we will have an advantage.
“The problem is, if he will not be able to play, playing time, if we bring him, then he will be unhappy. After our squad will be on the table, the coach I think will decide if he will be able to give time to him or not. He will decide. Don’t expect something from Gelhardt, a decision, before two weeks at least.”
In May, when asked if he would gladly pen a permanent Tigers deal, Gelhardt responded: "It's a good question, isn't it? Let's see what happens over the summer, but it's pretty clear what I want to do.”
If a reunion with Hull does not materialise, there will undoubtedly be interest in the Wigan Athletic academy product from elsewhere.
He has one year remaining on his contract at Elland Road and Leeds risk losing him on a free transfer next year if a sale is not arranged.