Hull City are back in the Premier League and could be on the hunt for some Championship bargain buys who could make a real difference in the top flight
Hull City are Premier League once more(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Hull City have returned to the Premier League for the first time in a decade and could look to the Championship for some bargain buys.
The Tigers gained promotion to the top flight after a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the play-off final. Oli McBurnie found the net in the dying seconds to break Boro hearts and send his team back to the pinnacle of English football.
Sergej Jakirovic joked that he had “one job” at Hull: to keep them in the Championship. Now, the manager can celebrate the promotion by scouring for some targets to bolster his squad.
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With this in mind, Hull Live have taken a look at some Championship players who may opt for a chance to play in the Premier League with the Tigers.
Sam Johnstone – Wolves
Sam Johnstone may be considering leaving Wolves in pursuit of a Premier League return and more playing time. The goalkeeper featured in 17 matches last season as the relegated club preferred to field Jose Sa ahead of the former England international.
SportsBoom linked Johnstone with potential moves to Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley in April, as Wolves’ relegation was confirmed around the same time. The 33-year-old only arrived in 2024 following a £10million switch from Crystal Palace.
His experience, having progressed through Manchester United’s academy before cementing his reputation at West Brom, could prove invaluable for any top-flight side.
Yerson Mosquera – Wolves
Yerson Mosquera suffered relegation with Wolves alongside Johnstone after the now former top-flight outfit managed to secure just three victories throughout the entire season. The defender featured 31 times during the 25/26 campaign and is considered “good enough to stay up.”
The 25-year-old accumulated a staggering 13 yellow cards over the course of the year, revealing a passionate angle to his play. Mosquera is valued at £10m by Transfermarkt and could be heading elsewhere in the coming months.
Reports from Mosquera’s homeland, Colombia, suggested that Wolves reached an agreement with the defender’s representatives that he would be sold this summer.
Finn Azaz – Southampton
The midfielder only joined Southampton last year, but their ‘Spygate’ scandal could trigger a wave of departures this summer. Azaz registered 21 goal contributions for the Saints during the 25/26 season and has been a consistent presence in the Republic of Ireland squad during recent international camps.
The 25-year-old completed a £12m move from Middlesbrough in last summer’s transfer window, going on to make 49 appearances throughout the campaign. With Southampton confined to the Championship following their play-off expulsion, coupled with the ongoing scandal engulfing the club, several players may be tempted to seek pastures new before any further turbulence.
He is valued slightly higher at approximately £15.5m.
Shea Charles – Southampton
Another Southampton player widely expected to be on the move this summer is Shea Charles. The impressive midfielder was the Saints’ hero in the FA Cup clash against Arsenal, netting the decisive goal to book their place in the semi-finals.
He also struck the winning goal against Boro in the playoff semi-finals, though the achievement was rendered meaningless by the ‘Spygate’ scandal. Manchester United and Everton are among the clubs chasing the 22-year-old’s signature, with Crystal Palace and Liverpool also reported to be keeping close tabs on him.
Charles has earned 33 caps for Northern Ireland and played the full 90 minutes against Italy in the World Cup play-offs. A price tag nearing £25m has been touted.
Zan Vipotnik – Swansea City
Zan Vipotnik is a young striker who could potentially thrive in the Premier League. The 24-year-old netted 23 goals and provided three assists for the Swans, establishing himself as the Championship’s leading scorer for the 25/26 season.
This represented a significant leap from Vipotnik’s seven goals in the prior campaign, which drew the attention of several clubs. To fend off suitors, Swansea secured him with a contract extension that runs until 2030.
Vipotnik also boasts 24 caps for Slovenia and five goals at international level. The forward is valued at £12m by Transfermarkt but the Swans may reference other substantial Championship exits in recent years in order to command a higher fee for his signature.