Former Hull City manager Iain Dowie says the Tigers need to find their own Granit Xhaka this summer, as they look to prepare their squad for the Premier League.
Xhaka surprised many when he joined Sunderland last summer following their Wembley triumph over Sheffield United, and the Swiss international was handed the captain’s armband.
The former Arsenal star was pivotal in the Black Cats finishing seventh in the top flight in their first season back in the top flight, and qualifying for the Europa League.
City‘s squad boasts no shortage of experience with the likes of Paddy McNair, John Egan and Oli McBurnie, but the club are keen to add somebody that they hope can have a similar impact.
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“Granit Xhaka was a brilliant acquisition because he’s one of those players who lifts the levels of everyone around him,” Dowie told Betano. “Hull need a bit of what happened with Nottingham Forest in terms of building a group. The squad lacks young, developing assets, so recruitment needs to focus on quality and long-term value.
“They have an excellent centre-half in Charlie Hughes, and I like Mohamed Belloumi as well. They’ll need a wing-back to support Lewie Coyle, who has done a magnificent job but can’t do it all. That midfield area needs strength, something like a Granit Xhaka. Oli McBurnie’s 17 goals was an impressive return.
“That tap-in right at the end to get them over the line will go down in history. It will be fascinating to see what the finances are at Hull and whether Sergej Jakirović dips into markets he knows well.”
One player the Tigers are keeping tabs on is Callum Wilson, with the 34-year-old striker set to leave West Ham following their relegation to the Championship.
A host of clubs, including Wilson’s place of birth, Coventry, have also been linked along with Celtic, and Dowie believes a move north of the border would appeal.
“I think Celtic would interest Callum Wilson,” Dowie said. “Hull would be an interesting one, and Celtic is a massive club. It wouldn’t surprise me. He did his job at West Ham in the time he played, and I think there’s still goals in him. I remember that goal that went over the line and then was disallowed, and everything else that happened to lead us to where we are. As a West Ham fan, it was painful. I think Wilson will get a good move though.”
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