Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic has reiterated his desire to sign Toni Fruk and Marco Pašalić this summer, before admitting the club must operate with care in the transfer market.
City have so far spent just over £3m on transfer fees, with Jack Butland arriving from Rangers and Oscar Zambrano from Maribor, while Matt Targett and Hidemasa Morita are both free arrivals.
The Tigers will spend more than £15m to bring in Olympiacos goalkeeper Tzolakis, and another £3m for Swedish winger Elliot Stroud, with Florentino Luis set to come in on loan from Burnley. Leon Bailey is another close to a move to the MKM Stadium, though, with him in the last year of his Villa Park contract, he’s not expected to break the bank. Nobel Mendy’s £20m move to England is expected to be announced in the near future, while there are thought to be a host of other arrivals close to completion, including Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey.
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City had been expected to get a deal done with Orlando City for Pašalić, though that may now not happen. Meanwhile, despite reports to the contrary, it’s understood that there remains doubt whether a deal with Rijeka for Fruk will be completed.
While the Tigers are content with spending money in a bid to compete in the Premier League, Jakirovic says making the right choices is key for a club without mega budgets like the majority of their rivals.
“There are big challenges ahead of us in the Premier League, which is the best league in the world with the best players,” the City head coach told Nova TV. “It will be difficult and there are recipes that we need to follow and it’s a matter of investment, of course. There are transfers of 50-60m euros, but we will try to make a good selection with smart investments and bringing in potential that can help us in the future.
“For example, from the HNL (Croatian national team) we’ve put Toni Fruk and Rokas Pukštas on the list. This time we’re not going for (Arbër) Hoxha, whom I wanted earlier. And Marco Pašalić is an option for the right wing. I like to say that these are players I trust completely.
“These are quality players and Croatian national team players. That is important if they are coming to a league like this. Marco showed that at the World Cup, he can handle the strongest.
“We have a consensus at the club. I respect the hierarchy of the chain of command, let’s say from the owner to the sports director, so we all have to agree.
“When I mention a player, it is usually a bombshell in the media. I know these guys very well and if there is a possibility that I can help them and bring them, I will bring them. I know what they can do and that they will give their all for me.”
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