Forget Joe Gelhardt, Birmingham City and Wrexham must target ‘outstanding’ Premier League starlet instead

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The newly-promoted duo have both been eyeing Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt in the summer transfer window ahead of the 2025/26 Championship.

Birmingham City and Wrexham both scorched to second tier promotion last season, and the two clubs have been busy so far in the summer transfer window.

Wrexham have signed Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle to bolster their attacking outlay, in a move dubbed as a “very smart signing” by EFL expert Ali Maxwell.

The Blues have also been searching for forward reinforcements, with Birmingham waiting on Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi decision, and have been targeting Peterborough United ace Kwame Poku.

EFL Analysis exclusively revealed this weekend that both Birmingham and Wrexham are eyeing Joe Gelhardt, but there could be a better option waiting in the wings at another Premier League club this summer.

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Birmingham and Wrexham must target Jamie Donley over Joe Gelhardt

Gelhardt joined Hull City on loan in the January transfer window from Leeds United, and went on to score five goals in 20 appearances at the MKM Stadium to play a pivotal role in Hull’s second tier survival.

The versatile forward ended the campaign as Hull’s second top goalscorer, behind Joao Pedro, who is set to depart for LIGA MX outfit Mexican Atletico San Luis, which highlights how impactful Gelhardt was last term.

Despite his impressive return on paper, two of Gelhardt’s five Tigers goals were a pair of penalties in the same against Preston North End.

Rather than targeting Gelhardt, who is not a prolific producer of goals and assists, the newly-promoted duo should target Spurs starlet Jamie Donley in the wake of his breakout loan at Leyton Orient in League One last season.

Donley scored eight goals and assisted 11 in 42 third tier appearances for Orient, and the 20-year-old represents a real potential future gem for both Birmingham and Wrexham.

After Donley was granted his maiden senior Northern Ireland call-up earlier in the season, Orient boss Richie Wellens hinted that a Championship move could be on the cards for him soon.

As quoted by the Belfast News Letter, Wellens said: “He deserves it, he has been outstanding.

“He’s a difficult player to take out of the team because he’s talented.

“Going forward Championship will be minimum for him. Unless we’re in the Championship, there’s no way we get him back next year.

“The plan for Jamie was one of two things. He comes to us, develops, grows into a man and then goes back to Tottenham and maybe gets into their first team.

“If not, then he goes to the Championship. If he carries on with the same attitude, the same intensity, the same work ethic and mentality, then he might be playing against City week in, week out.”

Donley’s stunning long-range effort against Manchester City in the FA Cup encapsulated the technical quality he possesses, which the second tier pair could benefit from.

When comparing Donley’s statistics to Gelhardt’s, it is clear that both Birmingham and Wrexham should be prioritising the former this summer.

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Jamie Donley’s stats compared to Joe Gelhardt’s in 2024/25

Admittedly in a lower division, Donley’s metrics are far more impressive than Gelhardt’s, which are even more impressive considering this term was the 20-year-old’s first full senior season.

In the number 10 role, Donley exceeded fellow left-footer Gelhardt’s in goals, assists, chances created, and touches in the opposition box.

Donley remains under contract at Spurs until 2029, thus making a permanent acquisition potentially very costly.

However, as we revealed with the news of Birmingham and Wrexham’s interest in Gelhardt, Leeds’ promotion back to the Premier League has seen Gelhardt’s contract return to its previous levels, thus making a permanent exit somewhat difficult.

As a result, we are told another loan move is now likely for Gelhardt. If the option becomes available for Spurs to send Donley to the Championship, as Orient boss Wellens predicted, then the newly-promoted duo should therefore be prioritising the Spurs starlet over Gelhardt.

His proven output from last season is matched by his lofty potential, and would be the perfect accompaniment in behind Jay Stansfield at Birmingham, or alongside Sam Smith and new boy Hardie at the Red Dragons.