Hull City believe the signing of Oliver McBurnie could be one which potentially elevates the side from their initial aim of a Championship top 10 finish to one which crosses the line of being able to reach the Premier League. City are hopeful of signing McBurnie on a free transfer, but face competition for his signature from a number of clubs both in England and abroad.
The 29-year-old played last season in Spain with Las Palmas but activated a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave if the team were relegated, which is what transpired. Linked to the likes of former clubs Swansea City and Sheffield United, McBurnie has past history with City’s head of recruitment Jared Dublin, from his own time at the Blades.
It’s understood the player’s preference is to move to the MKM Stadium but no deal has been reaches, as yet, with the danger still lying a rival could come in to snatch the player away. Dublin has kept his cards close to his chest with regards the potential signing of McBurnie, admitting earlier in the week that was an area City were looking to strength and that he is a player who would attract interest.
Still playing it pretty safe, the head of recruitment has expanded on the potential of McBurnie arriving at Hull by admitting he is the type of player who could take a club like the Tigers to the next level.
Dublin said: “For us it’s about, do we have that extra bit of quality to go and take us from being a top-ten team to maybe something that gets over the line? And that’s the ambition that the chairman set out.
“It’s up to us to deliver upon that. So Oli would be in that category. I would say any time you go for a target of an Oli McBurnie, that type of status with Premier League history and Premier League experience, there’s going to be other interest. So rarely do we find a player that there’s no one in for. That’s all that I can say about that situation.”