Leeds United forward hints strongly that a transfer departure is imminent.

Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt has seemingly dropped a major indication that his future lies away from Elland Road following Hull City’s promotion to the Premier League.

The striker spent the season on loan at Hull and played a hugely influential role in helping the Tigers secure promotion through the Championship play-offs.

Now, after a hugely successful spell at the MKM Stadium, growing signs suggest a permanent transfer could soon become reality.

Leeds are expected to make several major decisions regarding outgoing players during the summer transfer window, particularly those returning from loan spells.

Many of those players are not viewed as part of the club’s long-term plans, and Leeds will also hope to raise substantial transfer funds through sales.

Among the players most likely to depart is Gelhardt.

The 24-year-old will enter the final year of his contract once July arrives, and after his outstanding campaign at Hull, speculation surrounding his future has intensified considerably.

Gelhardt Played Key Role In Hull Promotion Success

Hull’s dramatic play-off final victory over Middlesbrough secured the club’s return to the Premier League and immediately increased expectations that they would push hard to keep Gelhardt permanently.

The forward proved to be one of the most important players in Sergej Jakirovic’s side throughout the season.

Across his Championship loan spell, Gelhardt produced 15 goals and four assists, numbers that played a massive part in Hull exceeding expectations and ultimately achieving promotion.

His performances transformed him into a huge fan favourite at the club and strengthened the belief that he could become a central figure in Hull’s Premier League plans next season.

Even before promotion was confirmed, signs already pointed toward Hull wanting to complete a permanent transfer.

Hull Officials Previously Suggested Deal Was Likely

Hull sporting director Jarred Dublin had already hinted that signing Gelhardt on a permanent basis would become highly likely if Hull achieved promotion while Leeds remained in the top flight themselves.

That scenario has now unfolded perfectly for the Tigers.

With Hull securing the financial rewards that come with Premier League football, the club are now in a far stronger position to meet Leeds’ valuation and satisfy the player’s wage expectations.

As a result, speculation over Gelhardt’s future has accelerated rapidly.

However, it is not only Hull officials and supporters driving the conversation.

The player himself has now seemingly provided the clearest hint yet that a permanent departure from Leeds could soon happen.

Instagram Activity Fuels Exit Speculation

Following Hull’s promotion celebrations, Gelhardt posted an emotional and profane reaction to the achievement on Instagram.

The comments section quickly filled with congratulatory messages from teammates, supporters, and friends celebrating the club’s return to the top flight.

Among those interacting with the post was fellow former Wigan Athletic academy graduate Kyle Joseph.

Joseph responded with a famous GIF of Mike Tyson shouting the phrase: “sign the contract big boy.”

Significantly, Gelhardt chose to like that comment.

He also liked another comment from a supporter expressing hope that he would remain at Hull permanently.

Those interactions have been interpreted by many fans as a major signal that the striker is fully open to completing a permanent move away from Leeds this summer.

Permanent Move Now Feels Increasingly Inevitable

At this stage, a permanent transfer appears more likely than ever.

Even if Hull had failed to achieve promotion, many already believed they would still have attempted aggressively to sign Gelhardt.

Now that the club has secured Premier League football and the financial benefits that come with it, the chances of the move happening seem even greater.

Hull are now in a position where they can realistically afford both the transfer fee and the wages required to convince the forward to stay.

Just as importantly, Gelhardt himself appears eager to continue his career at the MKM Stadium.

That enthusiasm is understandable given how successful and enjoyable his time at Hull has been.

Gelhardt Found Stability And Confidence At Hull

For many observers, Gelhardt’s rise at Hull has highlighted frustrations over how his development was handled at Leeds in recent years.

The striker initially burst onto the scene during the 2021/22 season at Elland Road and quickly became one of the club’s most exciting young talents.

Supporters believed he possessed the ability to develop into a major long-term figure for Leeds.

However, opportunities became increasingly inconsistent after his breakthrough campaign.

A mixture of managerial changes, tactical shifts, and uncertainty surrounding his role prevented Gelhardt from establishing himself fully in the first team.

As a result, his progress appeared to stall.

The move to Hull offered him a fresh opportunity to rebuild confidence and rediscover momentum in his career.

That decision has proven hugely successful for both player and club.

Hull Move Revitalised His Career

At Hull, Gelhardt immediately found an environment where he was trusted and given responsibility.

The regular playing time allowed him to rediscover the sharpness and confidence that first attracted attention during his early Leeds appearances.

His goals, creativity, and work rate quickly made him a vital player within Jakirovic’s attacking setup.

More importantly, the forward once again started looking like the exciting talent many Leeds supporters originally believed he could become.

The consistency he displayed throughout the Championship campaign represented arguably the best football of his senior career so far.

Hull supporters rapidly embraced him, and his connection with the fanbase became increasingly obvious as the season progressed.

Now, after helping deliver promotion, it appears both sides are eager for the relationship to continue.

Leeds May Be Ready To Cash In

From Leeds’ perspective, selling Gelhardt may now make the most sense financially and strategically.

With only one year remaining on his contract, the club risk losing leverage in negotiations if they delay making a decision.

Should no new contract be agreed, Gelhardt would eventually be able to enter the final six months of his deal and discuss pre-contract agreements elsewhere.

That reality increases pressure on Leeds to act decisively this summer.

Given Hull’s new financial power following promotion, Leeds may also see this as the ideal moment to secure a strong transfer fee.

The hope among Leeds supporters is that Hull will pay a substantial amount for a player whose value has risen considerably after such an impressive season.

Hull’s Premier League Ambitions Could Benefit Gelhardt

For Gelhardt personally, remaining at Hull could offer the perfect next step in his development.

Instead of facing uncertainty regarding his role at Leeds, he would enter a club where he is already highly valued and trusted.

Hull’s return to the Premier League would also provide him with the opportunity to test himself regularly at the highest level.

The club’s promotion project has generated huge excitement, and Gelhardt is widely viewed as someone capable of becoming a central figure in their future plans.

Having already built strong chemistry with teammates and supporters, staying at Hull could provide the continuity needed for him to keep progressing.

Transfer Exit Appears Close

Although no official deal has yet been announced, the growing evidence increasingly points toward Gelhardt leaving Leeds permanently this summer.

Hull want him, the player appears enthusiastic about staying, and Leeds may now view a sale as the logical outcome.

His social media activity following promotion has only intensified that belief among supporters.

After years of uncertainty at Elland Road, Gelhardt finally appears to have found a club where he feels settled, valued, and capable of fulfilling his potential.

Now, with Hull back in the Premier League, all signs suggest the next stage of his career could soon be confirmed permanently at the MKM Stadium.