Hull City duo Matty Jacob and Xavier Simons could be on the move out of the MKM Stadium over the next week, with firm interest in the pair.
Jacob has interest from three clubs, one of which is Bolton Wanderers in League One, while a club understood to be in Switzerland is also trying to do a permanent deal for the left-back.
Simons, who finished the season on loan with Wycombe Wanderers as the Chairboys narrowly missed out on promotion back to the Championship, looks set to move north of the border and bring an end to his Tigers career.
Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian are keen on taking the former Chelsea graduate after he was granted permission to speak to the Easter Road club over a permanent exit. Simons has a year to run on his existing deal plus a 12-month option, so the Tigers will collect a transfer fee.
The 22-year-old midfielder played 20 times for City last season and scored his first two goals against Burnley and Derby County in the space of a week, but struggled to make an impact after Tim Walter’s departure and moved to Wycombe on deadline day in the winter window, where he played 16 times.
Since arriving initially on loan from Stamford Bridge before his move was made permanent, Simons played 38 times for City and also had a spell at Fleetwood Town.
“Chairboys, thank you! I wanted to come on here to express my gratitude for the last six months,” Simons wrote after his spell at Adams Park ended. “To the coaches, to the players & to the backroom staff, thank you, an unbelievable group that I’ve learnt and grown a lot from.
“To the fans, your support has been massive. I’m gutted we couldn’t bring you what you deserve, but I have no doubt you’ll be back stronger soon. Wishing you all the best in the future!”
Jacob found himself well down the pecking order last term, with Ruben Selles preferring centre-back Sean McLoughlin to operate on the left side of the defence. The 24-year-old, who recently celebrated his engagement, made just eight appearances during the campaign.
His first and only Championship goal, however, was a crucial one in late January when he bagged the second in a hugely important 3-0 win at beaten play-off finalists Sheffield United.
Since coming through the ranks at the MKM Stadium, Barnsley-born Jacob has played just 23 times for City, with his last outing coming when he played 90 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Stoke City at the beginning of February.
Jacob does have two years left to run on his existing deal plus a further 12 months, but like Simons, City are prepared to allow him to leave on a permanent deal, provided the deal is right to free up space on the wage bill.
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