Snodgrass exit offers chance for Hull to add more depth

The former Leeds United player has completed a £10m move to West Ham, who beat off stiff opposition from Burnley and Middlesbrough.

Snodgrass’s exit is the second significant departure of a leading Hull player this month following last week’s £10m sale of midfielder Jake Livermore to West Brom and Silva empathises with supporters unhappy at the Scot’s move.

The Portuguese has stressed that he did not want Snodgrass to leave, but says that the 29-year-old’s wish for a move, expressed in conversations with the Tigers’ hierarchy, forced the club’s hand.

On supporters being upset at the sale of Snodgrass, Silva said: “If our fans are unhappy, then I am unhappy also. All of the club is unhappy.

“Since my first day here, I said that I don’t want the player to leave.

“I didn’t want any of our best players to leave.

“The player said to the club and to the chairman that he didn’t want to stay any more with Hull City. He wanted to leave the club.

“After that, came the offers and the moment that the chairman looked to see if a deal was possible.”

On whether he was disappointed with the actions of Snodgrass, whose contract was extended by 12 months in December after a clause in the initial deal was activated, Silva added: “I don’t want to talk about this.

“The player sometimes wants to improve the career and clubs make good offers for them.

“The players need to pay attention to their families also.

“Okay, it’s football, but it’s important that our fans understand that the player talked to the club and says he wants to leave.”

Silva, hopeful that there will be no further key departures, admits that replacing Snodgrass will not be straightforward, coming so late in the transfer window, with Hull seeking another left-wing option and two central midfielders following Livermore’s sale and Ryan Mason’s season-ending option.

Silva, who spoke this week about his desire to bring in five new signings before Tuesday night’s deadline, said: “It’s not easy to replace in this market with four or five days to go.

“It is better to replace in the summer when you have time to do these things.

“We will try.”