The Tigers face a fascinating, if slightly quieter, winter transfer window
Hull City went into the January window nicely nestled inside the Championship’s top six and dreaming of promotion to the Premier League for the first time under Acun Ilicali.
Sergej Jakirovic has masterminded a terrific first half of the season, and he’ll hope for a boost or two in the transfer window, although that won’t be easy given the club’s transfer restrictions.
As important for City this month will be getting key players back from injuries, and keeping hold of key players in Ivor Pandur, Charlie Hughes and Joe Gelhardt.
As it stands, all three are expected to remain at the MKM Stadium, but as with anything in the transfer window, little is certain until the deadline has passed, and City will hope that’s the case over the next three weeks.
Here’s a look at what would represent a bad window for the Tigers…
Losing Joe Gelhardt
Leeds United have a small window to recall Gelhardt and sell him on elsewhere, and that deadline is fast approaching. Given United’s improvement in the Premier League in recent weeks, the prospects of Gelhardt returning to Elland Road appear even more remote, but other potential suitors could take a chance on the in-form ace.
The frontman is out of contract next summer (2027), but given his electric form before picking up a calf problem at the beginning of December, there will have been plenty of clubs looking on with admiring glances.
Losing ‘Joff’ before the window closes would be a catastrophic disaster for the Tigers, especially given their restrictions, and he would be nigh on impossible to replace.
At this stage, however, City fans can rest easy knowing that Gelhardt wants to stay, Leeds want him to remain, and he very much remains on track to return from injury later this month wearing Black and Amber.
Charlie Hughes leaving
Hughes was the subject of a flurry of failed bids in the summer from Coventry City, who tabled as much as £12m for the defender, but City remained firm in rebuffing those offers.
City won’t want to lose Hughes this month, especially given their league position. The prospect of strengthening a rival while at the same time weakening your hand in the race for promotion surely won’t appeal.
Bids may land, and the club are prepared for that to happen, and while Acun Ilicali has admitted he will need to raise money in the summer if they do not get promoted, selling now would only be palatable if it were to a Premier League outfit, and for a fee that was too good to refuse.
Ivor waves goodbye
Like Charlie Hughes, Ivor Pandur was the subject of interest in the summer. Unlike Hughes, there were no bids that genuinely gave City a decision to make. Middlesbrough were keen, and the Tigers expected a formal approach from Boro, but he remained and has enjoyed a steady season.
A call-up to the Croatian squad at the back end of the year has raised his profile, and City are primed for something to come their way ahead of the deadline.
Losing Pandur would be a blow, make no mistake about it. That said, the imminent arrival of Seny Dieng would at least avoid the club scratching around trying to find a last-minute replacement.
More injuries
As much as we can talk about players coming and going, arguably the most important thing for City between now and 7pm on February 2 is getting key players back fit, and avoiding any further issues because that would be crushing.
City’s terrific season so far has been plagued by injuries to key players, and that was evident again over Christmas when Mo Belloumi and Ryan Giles went down in successive matches.
Keeping their key men on the pitch and getting others like Gelhardt, Giles, John Lundstram, and Eliot Matazo back is absolutely crucial, and as important as any transfer business, and they can ill-afford to lose any more key men, especially at a time when their rivals will be able to strengthen.
Here at Hull Live , we are dedicated to bringing you the best Hull City coverage and analysis. Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group.
You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service.
Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.