The Tigers remain hopeful of adding to their squad before the window closes
Hull City have just 12 days left before the transfer window closes on September 1 at 11pm and the club’s biggest business could yet happen between now and then.
City boss Liam Rosenior has so far made five signings and between now and then, that number could rise significantly if the club are able to secure the players they’re in talks with.
Jason Lokilo, Liam Delap, Ruben Vinagre, Aaron Connolly and Scott Twine have all joined City over the course of a summer period that has been strategic with planning ongoing for months.
It’s perhaps the arrival of Twine that has caught the imagination beyond the East Yorkshire boundaries given the Burnley star rejected 11 clubs to move to the MKM Stadium, and that move could yet be eclipsed if the deal to bring Jaden Philogene is concluded, as Hull Live revealed on Sunday.
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Though Rosenior won’t admit it, he knows Twine’s move from Turf Moor has sent out a strong message to their opponents, but more importantly, to the players they’re talking to about moving to the club.
City believe they can be genuine contenders for promotion this season, and should the players arrive they’re in lengthy discussions with, there’s little doubt others will now see them as such, Philogene would certainly be placed into that category, and so too, the ‘other’ player from Villa the Tigers are in talks to sign.
As the club proved with the acquisition of Twine, they are willing to be patient to bring in the players they want, rather than fall into the trap so many often do of panic buying.
One player not on their radar is Swansea City striker, Liam Cullen, despite reports claiming the Tigers were in talks with the 24-year-old Welshman along with Championship rivals Stoke City.
Coventry City striker Matty Godden is another frontman linked with a switch from the Midlands to East Yorkshire, but as with Cullen, there is no truth in those reports, though another forward option could not be ruled out should the right option become available.
The Tigers remain in talks with Crystal Palace over a move for winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and are hopeful the 20-year-old will reject overtures from a host of other clubs to join Twine in making a switch from the Premier League.
Max Bird’s hopes of a potential move to the MKM Stadium now look to be dead in the water after the midfielder picked up an ankle ligament injury in the 93rd minute of Derby County’s defeat to Oxford United last week, with Paul Warne preparing to be without the 22-year-old for the next eight to 10 weeks.
“And Max Bird has damaged his ankle. I feel for Max more than anyone because he was the fittest player in pre-season and the best performer this season in my opinion,” Warne told Derbyshire Live after the Rams’ narrow 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town on Saturday. “He tackles in the 93rd minute against Oxford, somebody lands on him and he’s damaged his ankle ligaments.
“He could be out for eight to 10 weeks. It’s a massive blow and I asked the lads to play with character and they sort of dedicated that win to Birdy.”
Given the fact Rosenior has pushed hard to bring Bird to City is a clear example of his desire to add in the midfield engine room with Greg Docherty sidelined through injury and Ryan Woods in talks with suitors in League One over a loan switch away.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien would represent a significant coup for a number of clubs in the second tier who have enquired about a loan move, and while the Premier League outfit are prepared to sanction his departure, Forest’s financial demands are likely to make a deal for the 24-year-old difficult.
Rosenior wants to add more depth to his squad, and a highly-rated winger remains locked in talks with City owner Acun Ilicali in what would be a permanent addition on a long-term contract, and it’s hoped a defining breakthrough could come this week.
Elsewhere, City could look to sign more defensive cover and a goalkeeper remains a key priority with a number of options available.
Should Rosenior bring in the players he wants, naturally, there will need to be departures. Ryan Longman turned down a move to Turkish Super Lig side Fatih Karagumruk with the winger having a preference to remain in England, while Woods has attracted interest from a number of League One clubs.
City could look to offer Xavier Simons a loan move to build up his confidence and play regular football similar with Brandon Fleming, who has not yet featured this season despite Ruben Vinagre missing the last two games.
Allahyar Sayydamnesh was the subject of interest from Europe and the MLS before his calf injury, and while the US transfer window has now closed, interest from elsewhere being rekindled can not be ruled out.
The Iranian remains a hugely popular figure at City and while the club would be loathed to lose him, his desire to play regular football may well have a significant say in proceedings.
Much remains firmly up in the air as we enter the final days of the window, and there is no doubt the Tigers will be busy with both incomings and outgoings.
