Hull City running parallel transfer strategies with Grant McCann in dark about his future

Hull City appear to be running two parallel transfer policies with coach Grant McCann trying to sign familiar home-based targets such as Regan Slater, whilst director-of-football-in-waiting Tan Kesler looks at overseas options.

If the ownership of the club is in limbo at the moment, with Acun Ilicali still to complete his buyout having entered into a period of exclusivity at the end of October, it has not stopped the club working on transfers. Rather, it appears to have led to two separate approaches.

Read More
Time for window shopping as Yorkshire clubs look to manage squads

McCann and head of recruitment Lee Darnbrough are working to different rules to Ilicali and Kesler, however.

IN DEMAND: Hull City are understood to be trying to re-sign Sheffield United midfielder Regan Slater, who impressed on loan last seasonIN DEMAND: Hull City are understood to be trying to re-sign Sheffield United midfielder Regan Slater, who impressed on loan last season
IN DEMAND: Hull City are understood to be trying to re-sign Sheffield United midfielder Regan Slater, who impressed on loan last season
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hull are under a transfer embargo which means they can only sign free transfers and loanees, and that the size of their squad must not exceed 25. The embargo is a result of Hull borrowing money from the Football League to help them through the pandemic.

But as part of the takeover, Ilicali is expected to pay back that money, ending the embargo. It allows him to look at targets such as Iranian striker Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, who plays for Fenerbahce, the club Ilicali supports.

Asked if he was close to any signings, he said: "We're getting there. We're working very hard behind the scenes."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ilicali attended his first Hull game on Saturday, an indication he is optimistic a deal is close. The Turkish television mogul said as much on his country's version of The Voice on New Year's Day.

Also spotted in Ilicali's entourage were former Sunderland, Notts County and Scunthorpe United chief executive Jim Rodwell and ex-Caykur Rizespor and Kasimpasa midfielder Merthan Acil.

Reports in Turkey says Hull (although that almost certainly means someone in the Ilicali camp rather than anyone who is part of the club at the moment) have been in Sayyadmanesh, who has only played twice for Fenerbahce since joining in the summer of 2019, and recently returned from a loan at Ukrainian Premier League side Zorya Lugansk. However Anderlecht are also said to be interested, and the thought of working with Vincent Komapny is said to appeal.

Inevitably Turkish celebrity Ilicali's attempt to buy the club has led to many continental-based players being linked with a move to East Yorkshire in the media there but with Hull in a Championship relegation battle, plenty of time to plan and a director of football lined up in former agent Kesler, it would be a surprise if signings were not forthcoming provided the takeover can be signed off before the 11pm January 31 transfer deadline.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Saturday McCann refused to confirm or deny stories he is interested in re-signing Slater, the midfielder who impressed on loan at Hull from Sheffield United last season. The Tigers tried to re-sign the now-22-year-old in the summer, but the Blades decided to keep him.

But Slater has not played this season and manager Paul Heckingbottom has confirmed there is interest in him again this month. At this stage, though, he said he could not consider loaning more players out whilst his squad is so badly affected by illness and injury.McCann was also tight-lipped on reports that Josh Magennis could join Wigan Athletic.

The Northern Ireland centre-forward has scored 24 league goals in 88 appearances for Hull, but his Championship record is a much more modest six in 48, adding to the impression - fair or otherwise - that League One, which Wigan are currently trying to get out of, is where he performs best.

Signings seem inevitable at Hull this month. Whether they will be picked by McCann and Darnborough, Ilicali and Kesler, or both will be fascinating to see.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.