Hull City have not yet made a decision over the long-term future of midfielder Oscar Zambrano after the youngster saw his doping ban reduced.
City signed the youngster last summer on a season-long loan deal from Ecuador club LDU Quito and have the option to make it permanent, but must make a decision on the Santo Domingo-born ace before the end of next month.
The Tigers have a list of potential targets to bolster their ranks this summer, including former Sheffield United striker Oliver McBurnie, but first team recruitment decisions are on hold until the club appoint a new manager which it’s hoped will be sooner rather than later.
Zambrano arrived at City in August last year with a huge cloud hanging over his head owing to a doping case that was yet to be settled relating to Articles 6 and 7 of the Conmebol Anti-Doping Regulations.
That case came to a head on November 5 when the 21-year-old was slapped with a 16-month ban for breaching regulations prior to his move to the MKM Stadium, though he always protested his innocence and the club were determined to stick by him.
After a lengthy appeal process to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS found partially in his favour and reduced his 18-month ban to 12, meaning he will be able to play again from early November.
City could yet activate their clause and snap up Zambrano for a cut-price fee having been impressed with the fleeting glimpses they saw early last season when he played six times under former boss Tim Walter.
Speaking in Ecuador earlier this month, Quito’s sporting director Eduardo Álvarez told the Championship club that the ball was firmly in their court over making the move permanent.
“Hull City has the option to acquire Óscar Zambrano until mid-June; the ball is in their court,” he said. “If the purchase option isn’t granted, the player will return to the club.
“We have had a meeting with Hull City through Oscar Zambrano’s representative and they are still analysing the purchase option they have until June 30, which they can exercise. At this point, we must continue waiting to see if they exercise it or not.”