Ipswich Town 'closing in' on Burnley's Florentino Luis after Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic's admission
Hull City are reportedly close to missing out on a Burnley midfielder to Premier League rivals Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town are reportedly closing in on the signing of Hull City target Florentino Luis from Burnley.
The 26-year-old, a defensive midfielder, spent last season on loan at Burnley from Benfica. He recently saw his move turned permanent for a reported £20.8m as a result of a buy obligation clause, despite Burnley’s relegation from the top flight.
Hull have been strongly linked with the former Portugal youth international, although do not appear set to secure his signature.
Florentino Luis update emerges
Sky Sports have claimed Ipswich, who were also promoted to the Premier League last season, are close to signing Luis on a permanent basis. The deal being discussed is believed to be worth around £16m.
Hull are thought to have been in advanced talks over an initial loan for the midfielder, one that no longer appears set to materialise.
The reported development comes after a candid admission from Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic over the weekend.
He told Hull Live: “I think that [Florentino] will not come to us. I think that he will go to another club, though I don't know which one.
“His move, I believe, will be a permanent transfer, so we don't have a chance with that because we want to loan him from Burnley. This is his decision and his family, which I respect. We have some options, so we will activate our second option now, so I hope we will finish it.”
Hull City’s transfer business
The blow of missing out on Luis would be softened by the completion of some other bits of transfer business by Hull.
As it stands, the Tigers have only given Jakirovic four new additions to his squad - goalkeeper Jack Butland, defender Matt Targett and midfielders Oscar Zambrano and Hidemasa Morita.
The club are, however, thought to be closing on the captures of Colorado Rapids defender Lucas Herrington and Tromsø IL midfielder Jens Hjertø-Dahl.