Hull City will welcome another new face when the players report back at Cottingham for the start of pre-season training this week, with former Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool man Jonjo Shelvey set to be involved.
Shelvey, who left Burnley, is without a club. He is understood to be coming to City to aid his fitness and ensure he’s in tip-top shape ahead of the new campaign.
The 33-year-old midfielder has been given the opportunity to train with the Tigers to help that process, and naturally, both parties will take a look at each other over the coming days.
An experienced campaigner, Shelvey had spells in Turkey with Çaykur Rizespor and Eyüpspor before returning to England in the New Year, but played just four times for the Turf Moor club in the second half of the season on their way to promotion back to the Premier League under Scott Parker.
Elsewhere, City continue talks with Aston Villa over a move for Louie Barry. Owner Acun Ilicali, Hull Live understands, has been in direct talks over the weekend with his counterpart at the Premier League club, Nassef Sawiris, in a bid to get a deal done.
It’s understood that progress is being made and that Ilicali is set to discuss terms with the 22-year-old ahead of a potential move to the MKM Stadium.
Amid talks with Villa, Ilicali has spent much of the weekend with Jakirovic and his coaching staff at his office in Istanbul before flying to England on Sunday night ahead of meeting the media and supporters on Monday.
The next two days are also viewed as crucial in the club’s bid to sign Oliver McBurnie on a free transfer. His deal with Las Palmas officially ends on Monday, and from Tuesday, he will be eligible to sign for a new club. City remain hopeful of being able to convince the 29-year-old to join the Tigers, amid strong interest from former club Swansea City.
Meanwhile, sources have indicated that City are prepared to move on from their interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien. City have been in talks with Forest and O’Brien in recent days, but a move to the MKM Stadium now looks distinctly unlikely.
Instead, the Tigers have seemingly opted to go in a different direction and are hopeful of lining up a midfielder from Europe, one the club believe is a significant talent.
Discussions with LDU Quito over bringing loanee Oscar Zambrano back on a permanent deal are also progressing, and the feeling amongst both clubs is that an agreement will be struck soon.
City owner Ilicali has spoken previously of his admiration for the youngster, who will complete a 12-month suspension at the beginning of November.
Since being slapped with his ban back on November 5, Zambrano has been training alone with a fitness coach. Under the terms of his ban, he has not been allowed to train with his club, though that will change once his ban expires later this year.
The Tigers are also continuing talks with a potential left-back, and remain keen to strengthen other areas of the squad with a focus on adding quality and depth to their attacking ranks.
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