The summer transfer window opens tomorrow as Hull City edge closer to appointing a new manager. Reports in Turkey claim Kayserispor boss Sergej Jakirovic has “agreed in principle” to take over the reins from Ruben Selles.
Jakirovic is expected to take charge of Kayserispor for the final time tomorrow when they visit third-placed Samsunspor in what is their last match of the season. BBC Humberside say Jakirovic and his coaching staff are hoping to get their visas next Wednesday.
Expect there to be plenty of incomings and outgoings at the MKM Stadium this summer as the Tigers step up their preparations for the 2025/26 season. Sheffield United have joined the ranks of Championship clubs announcing their list of released and retained players following their play-off final defeat, making more free agents available for summer transfers.
The Blades have also announced the return of several loan recruits to their parent clubs, a move that could pique the interest of teams like Birmingham City as they begin their rebuilding efforts.
Players including Alfie Gilchrist, Rob Holding, Harry Soutter, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Harry Clarke, Ben Brereton Diaz and Hamza Choudhury are all heading back home after Sheffield United’s unsuccessful play-off attempt, with their collective futures uncertain.
Championship clubs had until 17 May to inform the EFL about the future of players whose contracts are due to expire at the end of June. Clubs involved in the play-offs were given an extension until four days after their season ended.
Coventry City and fellow play-off semi-finalists Bristol City have already disclosed their lists, while Sheffield United confirmed on Wednesday that they are in talks with striker Rhian Brewster and that Jack Robinson has triggered an automatic one-year extension by playing a certain number of matches. Robinson made 34 league starts in the 2024/25 season, while Brewster featured in 18, reports Birmingham Live.
Queens Park Rangers revealed their list earlier this week, confirming the exit of left-back Kenneth Paal and ongoing discussions with Jimmy Dunne, Jack Colback, Lucas Andersen and Morgan Fox.
Sunderland and Cardiff City are now the only Championship clubs from the recently concluded season yet to publicly announce their retained lists. Next term, Sunderland will be playing in the top flight, while Cardiff, currently managerless, were demoted to League One.
Sunderland have no senior players whose contracts are expiring this summer, whereas Cardiff players nearing the end of their contracts include Dimitrious Goutas, Yakou Meite, Joe Ralls, Andy Rinomhata and Anwar El Ghazi.
Two of the three clubs relegated from the Premier League – Southampton and Ipswich Town – have not yet announced their decisions, nor have Charlton Athletic, who earned promotion via the play-offs from League One on Monday.
Ipswich players whose contracts run out in 2025 include ex-Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe, and it’s already been confirmed that midfielder Massimo Luongo is leaving.
Kyle Walker-Peters is wavering over a new contract at Southampton, and Adam Lallana may retire.
Birmingham City stormed through League One last season, setting a new EFL points record and ensuring their stay in the third tier was short-lived. Owners Knighthead, who funded last year’s summer overhaul, are expected to provide further financial support to Chris Davies and his team in their quest to return the Blues to the Premier League.
However, with City facing stricter spending regulations this season, they will be looking for value in their summer transactions, which could see free agents playing a role in their rebuilding strategy.
Hull Live has taken a look at the clubs who have published their retained lists so far:
Birmingham City
Released: Grant Hanley (centre-half), Lee Myung-Jae (left-back), Lukas Jutkiewicz (striker).
Blackburn Rovers
Released: Dilan Markanday (winger), Jack Vale (forward), Zak Gilsenan (midfielder), Patrick Gamble (centre back), Tom Bloxham (winger), Jordan Eastham (goalkeeper), Rhys Doherty (centre back), Isaac Whitehall (midfielder), Jalil Saadi (midfielder), Alex Baker (forward), Adam Caddick (midfielder), Paul Murphy-Worrell (right back), Lewis Bell (winger), Bradley Taylor (midfielder), Jackson Shorrocks (midfielder), Nathan Willis (midfielder), Stephen Edmondson (midfielder), Teddy Ramwell (defender), Dan Shaw (midfielder, contract cancelled).
Contracts offered: Tyrhys Dolan (winger), Danny Batth (centre back), Andi Weimann (forward).
Option exercised: Ryan Hedges (winger).
Bristol City
Released: Stefan Bajic (goalkeeper), Ayman Benarous (midfielder), Kal Naismith (utility).
In talks: Nahki Wells (striker), Lewis Thomas (goalkeeper).
Burnley
Released: Nathan Redmond (winger), Jonjo Shelvey (midfielder).
In talks: Josh Brownhill (midfielder), CJ Egan-Riley (centre back), Ashley Barnes (striaker).
Coventry City
Released: Jamie Paterson (forward).
Options exercised: Jamie Allen (midfielder), Luke Bell (goalkeeper).
Derby County
Released: Tom Barkhuizen (forward), Sonny Bradley (centre-back), Tyrese Fornah (midfielder), Jeff Hendrick (midfielder), Rohan Luthra (goalkeeper), Erik Pieters (defender), Kemar Roofe (forward), Conor Washington (striker).
In talks: Craig Forsyth (defender), Liam Thompson (centre mid).
Hull City
Departures: Brandon Fleming (left-back), Callum Jones (midfielder), Nordin Amrabat (winger), Dogukan Sinik (winger).
Option taken up: Joao Pedro (striker).
Leeds United
Departures: Josuha Guilavogui (midfielder).
In discussions: Sam Byram (right back), Junior Firpo (left back).
Leicester City
Departures: Daniel Iversen (goalkeeper), Danny Ward (goalkeeper), Jamie Vardy (striker).
Luton Town
Departures: Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (midfielder), Amari’i Bell (left-back), Tim Krul (goalkeeper), Jameson Horlick (goalkeeper), Victor Moses (winger).
Middlesbrough
Departures: Anfernee Dijksteel (right-back).
Millwall
Departures: Shaun Hutchinson (centre back), Murray Wallace (centre back), Duncan Watmore (winger), Aaron Connolly (winger).
In discussions: George Saville (midfielder), George Honeyman (midfielder), Danny McNamara (right back), Liam Roberts (goalkeeper), George Evans (defender).
Options taken up: Billy Mitchell (midfielder), Joe Bryan (left back), Wes Harding (right back).
Norwich City
Departures: Angus Gunn (goalkeeper), Onel Hernández (winger), Jacob Sørensen (centre mid), Jonathan Tomkinson (centre back), Archie Mair (goalkeeper), Lewis Shipley (centre back), Tom Finch (goalkeeper), Adian Manning (midfielder), Ellis Craven (goalkeeper), Daniel Ogwuru (centre forward), Alfie Doy (centre back), Alex Roberts (centre forward), Gabriel Keita (centre back), Kingston Simbai (right back).
In talks: Lewis Dobbin (winger, Aston Villa loan), Jacob Wright (midfielder, Man City).
Oxford United
Departures: Josh McEachran, Joe Bennett, Max Woltman, Eddie Brearey and George Franklin.
Plymouth Argyle
Departures: Ben Waine (striker), Saxon Earley (left back), Will Jenkins Davies (centre mid), Josh Bernard (midfielder).
Contracts offered: Jordan Houghton (centre mid), Mustapha Bundu (striker), Jack Matthews (centre back).
Portsmouth
Departures: Cohen Bramall (left-back), Tom Lowery (centre-mid), Alexander Milošević (centre-back), Anthony Scully (striker) and Kusini Yengi (striker).
Preston North End
Departures: Emil Riis (striker), Freddie Woodman (goalkeeper), Kian Best (defender), Kian Taylor (defender/midfielder), Patrick Bauer (centre back), Ryan Ledson (centre mid).
Contracts offered: Ched Evans (striker, coaching role), Josh Seary (right back), Kacper Pasiek (left wing back), Robbie Brady (left midfield/defence).
Queens Park Rangers
Departures: Kenneth Paal (left-back), Harry Murphy (midfielder).
In talks: Jimmy Dunne (defender), Morgan Fox (defender), Jack Colback (midfielder), Lucas Andersen (winger).
Sheffield United
In talks: Rhian Brewster (striker).
Option triggered: Jack Robinson (defender).
Sheffield Wednesday
Departures: Stuart Armstrong (centre mid), Ben Hamer (goalkeeper), Ryo Hatsuse (left back), Michael Ihiekwe (centre back), Marvin Johnson (winger), Pol Valentin (right back), Mallik Wilks (winger).
Contracts offered: Barry Bannan (centre mid), Akin Famewo (centre back), Callum Paterson (midfield/attack).
Options exercised: Anthony Musaba (winger), Michael Smith (centre forward), Josh Windass (forward).
Stoke City
Released: Jordan Thompson (centre mid), Lynden Gooch (full back/winger), Michael Rose (centre back), Enda Stevens (left back).
Contract offered: Emre Tezgel (striker).
Option exercised: Lewis Baker (centre mid).
Swansea City
Released: Joe Allen (centre mid), Kyle Naughton (right-back), Cyrus Christie (right-back), Kristian Pedersen (left-back), Jon McLaughlin (goalkeeper).
Contract offered: Harry Darling (centre-half).
Option exercised: Cameron Congreve (midfielder).
Watford
Released: Angelo Ogbonna (centre-half).
West Bromwich Albion
Released: Semi Ajayi (defender), Grady Diangana (winger), John Swift (midfielder).
Wrexham
Released: Steven Fletcher (striker), Mark Howard (goalkeeper), Josh Adam (centre mid), Jordan Davies (centre mid), Harry Dean (centre-half), Brad Foster (goalkeeper), Liam Hall (goalkeeper), Sam Dalby (striker).
Contract offered: Callum Edwards (right winger).
Option exercised: Aaron James (centre-half).