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Hull City have won the race for one top transfer target as they look to further bolster their forward line.
After Hull City were hit with transfer fee restrictions in early July, many expected the worst for the Tigers in the summer window.
Acun Ilicali had to make wholesale changes following the disappointing 2024/25 season, and that ability to do so had since been hampered.
Surprisingly, Hull City’s transfer business has been riveting, despite the restrictions, having recently and notably brought in Oli McBurnie in a free deal after his stint with Las Palmas in La Liga came to an end.
Hull City have not stopped their drive in recruitment for the forward line, having agreed a deal to sign one former player who was keen to return to the MKM Stadium.
- READ MORE: Hull City beat two Championship rivals to new signing as Sheffield United boss speaks out
Hull City set to sign Leeds United ace Joe Gelhardt on loan
After bringing Oli McBurnie to the club, Hull City are now set to sign Joe Gelhardt on loan from Leeds United, as revealed by Mike White on X.
It was understood, via Leeds United News, that Middlesbrough were also interested in a deal for Gelhardt, but Hull City managed to move ahead after the striker made his intentions of returning to the MKM Stadium clear.
Gelhardt, 23, spent the back-end of the 2024/25 season at Hull City, where he bagged five goals in 20 Championship appearances. This notably includes a crucial brace bagged in the penultimate home game of the season, where the Tigers beat fellow relegation-threatened Preston North End 2-1.
Former Tigers boss Ruben Selles was also a big fan of the Leeds United loanee, having labelled him as ‘exceptional’, via Hull Daily Mail.
It is expected that Gelhardt will be available for Hull City on their opening day trip to Coventry City.
- READ MORE: Sergej Jakirovic makes ‘perfect’ Hull City transfer claim as the Tigers await appeal verdict
Acun Ilicali has successfully quashed attacking concerns
Hull City were the lowest goal scorers in the 2024/25 Championship season, and much of that came down to the poor recruitment in the summer preceding the campaign. The Tigers simply did not successfully replace their attackers, and Acun Ilicali took the blame for that.
However, despite getting into murky waters with the sanctions imposed upon the club, Hull City have done brilliantly to recruit this summer, bringing in a range of good-level forwards.
Hull City’s Head of Recruitment, Jared Dublin, has played a prominent role in the change-around, and he certainly deserves his praise for working under such strict conditions. Hopefully, the new signings can kick on and help deliver an improved season for the Tigers.