Hull City remain optimistic of finalising a permanent deal for Oscar Zambrano in the coming days. The Ecuador midfielder has not played since November 5 after being hit with a doping ban for an offence committed when he was playing for LDU Quito.
Santo Domingo-born Zambrano, who joined the Tigers on a season-long loan deal last August, was initially handed a 16-month ban but that was reduced to 12 months on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this year. It means the 21-year-old will be able to play again from November 3, 2025.
City are working hard behind the scenes to conclude a deal for Zambrano. Sporting director Jared Dublin said: “Hopefully we will have an update for you in a week’s time, maybe even sooner than that. Oscar was someone who really bought into the club and the chairman’s vision for our future.
“Obviously, there has been the situation in regards to his ban from football from 12 months. From our perspective, we see a player who really embedded within the group, enjoyed living in the city and enjoyed his teammates.
“If there is the right deal to be done to make his stint here permanent, then we will look at that if the numbers are right.”
“Nothing is done until it is signed and they have the scarf over their head,” Dublin added: “We are not there yet but we are confident that Oscar wants to continue here and we want to continue with him.”
It is shaping up to be a busy window for City, who have already signed Reda Laalaoui, Dillon Phillips and Semi Ajayi this summer. Discussions are ongoing with free agent Oli McBurnie and they are also looking to bring in a left-back and a midfielder before the first team fly to Turkey for their pre-season training camp a week on Sunday.
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