Hull City’s summer of transfer activity is gathering pace with the news that the club are on the cusp of signing Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita.
The former Sporting Lisbon star is set to move to the MKM Stadium in what would be an eye-catching move for a player who appeared 11 times in the Champions League last season, and had been strongly linked with a move to Premier League rivals Ipswich Town.
His imminent arrival would see him join Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano and Matt Targett in joining the club this summer, with more new additions on the way.
City still expect to complete the signing of highly-rated Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, though it is taking a little longer than initially hoped.
Swedish wing-back Elliot Stroud remains a firm target, and there remains a broad agreement with his club, Mjällby AIF, and it’s expected that the deal will also be completed.
The Tigers, meanwhile, have an interest in an experienced midfielder who caught the eye in the Premier League last term, and though the deal is complex, there’s a growing belief it will be completed, with the player in question keen on the move.
Leon Bailey is another firm target, and discussions with Aston Villa continue. The Jamaican international is thought to want to move to City, but as it stands, no agreement has been struck with Villa. Despite performing well in Villa’s 5-0 rout of neighbours Walsall on Tuesday night, the winger is not considered in Unai Emery’s long-term plans.
Hull Live understands there’s a growing belief within the club that Orlando City winger Marco Pašalić will eventually arrive at the MKM Stadium. Talks remain ongoing with the MLS club, and while no agreement has yet been reached, it’s believed a deal is likely.
It’s also thought Jakirovic would like to bring Franjo Ivanović to the club from Benfica, who could be tempted to sell after signing the globetrotting Jhon Durán, but the Lisbon giant’s financial demands could make that deal difficult.
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As Hull Live first reported towards the back end of the season, Toby Collyer remains a player City would like to bring to the club. Currently part of Manchester United’s pre-season camp, the midfielder is fit again, and the Tigers are in dialogue with their opening day opponents about a permanent deal.
Sergej Jakirovic still wants to be reunited with Joe Gelhardt, though he’s another where no agreement has been struck. The situation with the forward has not changed in any great fashion, with any move for him likely to come later in the window. Left out of Leeds United’s pre-season trip to the USA, his future at Elland Road looks increasingly bleak, and a move to the MKM Stadium would make sense for all parties.
Discussions for Auxerre ace Kévin Danois remain ongoing, though that deal now looks unlikely, and while City admire Norwich City defender Kellen Fisher, there has been no bid of any description lodged.
Going the other way, Abu Kamara continues to attract interest from Portsmouth, and it’s believed Charlton Athletic are also interested in the winger. Pompey’s interest has not yet yielded a move, and they could risk losing out on the London-born 22-year-old to another potential suitor. Mason Burstow is another courting interest after a fine season in helping Bolton Wanderers to promotion back to the Championship, thanks to his 12 goals for the Trotters.
As it stands, both Abdus Omur and Enis Destan will be given the opportunity to impress Jakirovic with a view to being involved in City’s Premier League squad.
There will almost certainly be other depatures from the MKM Stadium in the next couple of weeks, as the Tigers continue to bolster their squad and get it ready for the challenge of Premier League football.
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