The Tigers are still working under strict transfer restrictions
Sergej Jakirovic believes the transfer market will come alive this month as Premier League and Championship football come back with a bang.
The Championship campaign kicks off next weekend with City beginning at Coventry City, while the top-flight begins the week after, and plenty more is to be decided in the transfer market.
City have so far signed five players and are expected to confirm the arrivals of John Lundstram and Enis Destan before the final pre-season friendly against Getafe on Saturday. David Akintola’s move is awaiting visa approval; “He’s going through the visa process, but I hope he will join us,” Jakirovic said of the Nigerian winger.
Aside from Reda Laalaoui’s arrival, which has not yet been signed off by the EFL, those arrivals have come against the backdrop of the transfer ban the club has been working under.
The Tigers still aim to bring in a forward and midfielder at least, before the window closes on September 1. Former Manchester United youngster Brandon Williams is on trial and could be offered terms. In addition, discussions over a move for Oscar Zambrano remain ongoing with LDU Quito.
Jakirovic said: “I think from my experience, August will be very, very lively because a lot of players calculated (took time to decide their future) in June. They are very expensive in June, in July, a little bit down (less expensive), and then in August, they will call us.”
City go into Saturday’s game against high-quality La Liga opposition looking for a sixth straight pre-season win to end what has been a hugely successful bedding-in period for Jakirovic.
“You can see that we have a good team; we miss some quality in some places, some positions, but we will be good,” he said, before going on to explain why Mason Burstow was allowed to leave for Bolton Wanderers, despite the Tigers’ attacking ranks being light.
“Mason wanted to go, so I respect that he wants the minutes,” the Bosnian said. “I cannot promise you that you will play all the time. You must fight for your opposition. You must score the goals, and that’s it. It’s a big competition with Kyle Joseph and Tyrell (Sellars-Fleming); somebody else will come more, one more (after Destan).”
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