Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit urges Leeds United to sanction player transfer exit - It's "pointless" to keep him | OneFootball

Don Goodman has told FLW his verdict on Joe Gelhardt's Leeds United future following his loan stint at Hull City

Don Goodman believes that Joe Gelhardt has to leave Leeds United this summer in order to advance his career.

The forward spent the second half of the campaign on loan with Hull City after struggling for game time in Daniel Farke’s side.

He will now return to the club with the season over, but a decision will need to be made over his future.

The 23-year-old has a contract with Leeds until the summer of 2027, so there is no immediate pressure to sell, but his lack of game time does mean that a departure could still be on the cards in the upcoming transfer window.

Gelhardt urged to leave Elland Road

Goodman has raised his concerns over Gelhardt’s lack of development at Leeds, suggesting he needs to leave the club in order to kick on.

He believes the player is at risk of not making the most of his career, having burst onto the scene as an exciting talent when he was a youngster at Wigan Athletic.

“With Joe Gelhardt it almost seems pointless keeping him at the football club if you’re Leeds United,” Goodman exclusively told Football League World.

“He’s been there a long time and not made the breakthrough even when they’ve been in the Championship.

“So, for all parties it would be the best thing for him to move on.

“Whether that’s to Hull or not remains to be seen.

“Obviously, it was a tough season last season and Joe is still looking to kick on, really.

“I remember him breaking through at Wigan, this talented young kid that everyone was excited about, but it hasn’t really kicked on yet.

“So, hopefully the best is yet to come for him.”

Leeds gained promotion to the Premier League by winning the Championship, while Hull salvaged survival by finishing 21st in the table on goal difference.

Joe Gelhardt, Leeds United departure would make sense for everyone this summer

Gelhardt hasn’t been able to break into the Leeds team under Farke, and it’s now time for a permanent departure.

His loan spell at Hull was solid, but won’t have convinced the German to change his mind on where the forward stands in the pecking order.

A permanent move to a club of the Tigers’ stature would make a lot of sense, and would be his best chance at developing.

He needs to be playing regularly, and he won’t get that with Leeds now in the Premier League, so a permanent exit works best for all parties this summer.