City still expect to be active but will need to be measured in what they do
Kieran Dowell of Rangers(Image: )
It’s set to be one of the more low-key transfer windows under owner Acun Ilicali at Hull City, and that might not necessarily be a bad thing.
More than 70 players have come and gone since Ilicali bought the Tigers four years ago, but with transfer restrictions making life especially challenging, the Tigers could enjoy one of their quietest.
Despite their transfer restrictions, City were still able to strengthen their squad in the summer window, and they’ll be keen to do what they can to help Sergej Jakirovic over the next few weeks.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a closer look at what would represent a very good window for the Tigers…
Sign Dowell, Collyer and perhaps another one or two
Kieran Dowell and Seny Dieng are two of the Tigers’ top transfer priorities during the winter window, while they also have interest in bringing in another midfielder, both of whom have Championship experience, with Manchester United’s Toby Collyer high on the list of priorities.
Dowell is out of favour at Rangers but has played in the Premier League, while also having extensive experience in the second tier, while Dieng has amassed more than 160 appearances at this level, slightly more than the 28-year-old.
The Tigers also want to add another midfielder. Oscar Zambrano is unlikely to come back in this window, while Toby Collyer was a player the club wanted in the summer, but has since returned to Manchester United after his spell at West Brom was cut short and could be loaned out again.
City have options on their list, but whatever they decide, any new arrivals will have to be on a fee-free loan or a free transfer, as was the case in the summer. At the back, the Tigers are prepared to sign cover, should anything materialise when it comes to players leaving.
Keeping key men
Acun Ilicali told us before Christmas that the club will need to facilitate some sales before the beginning of July, and while that doesn’t mean there will be this month, it can’t be ruled out if the price is right.
City will be loath to lose the likes of Ivor Pandur and Charlie Hughes before the window closes, and therefore, keeping those two would be a major success.
As would Joe Gelhardt remaining at the MKM Stadium. Currently sidelined with injury, the 10-goal forward has been superb this season, and City fans will be nervously waiting to see if any potential suitors tempt Leeds United with big money in the winter window.
That’s not expected to happen at this stage, but we’ve all seen enough of transfer windows to know that you can never say never about anything.
Keeping their fragile squad together would be the biggest success of this window, and adding one or two to bolster the ranks in line with what the EFL will allow would be the proverbial cherry on top of Sergej Jakirovic’s Victoria Sponge.
Avoiding any more drama
The season has been plagued by problems with the fitness of players, so much so that it’s become something of a sick joke amongst everyone associated with the club.
Whether it be McBurnie, Giles, Millar, Gelhardt, Belloumi, Ajayi, Lundstram or anyone else, Jakirovic has got City into the promotion mix with at least one hand tied firmly behind his back.
Bringing Eliot Matazo, Giles, Lundstram and Gelhardt back in the near future to boost their numbers would be crucially important to their hopes of maintaining this push for the Premier League.
How does City’s dream window look to you? Have your say in the comments below…
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