Hull City defender Alfie Jones is attracting serious interest from a Championship rival with the club vice captain potentially about to end his five-year stay at the MKM Stadium.
Hull Live has learned Middlesbrough have informed City of their interest in the player, with talk of a potential £2m switch to the Riverside Stadium. Boro sacked manager Michael Carrick during the summer, with Rob Edwards now in charge and handed a transfer kitty to help reshape the squad for a tilt at promotion.
Edwards is a fan of Jones, who has been at the MKM Stadium since arriving from Southampton on an initial one-year deal back in September 2020 ahead of the Covid-hit title-winning season in League One, which he played a major role in. Throughout a revolving door of managers Jones has been a stable presence when fit and at 27-years-old, is now one of the more senior and established figures in the Tigers dressing room.
While the player has shown no desire to leave the club, it’s understood City are unlikely to turn down an offer in that region for the centre-back, if personal terms can be agreed between the parties.
Jones’ departure would see him follow in the footsteps of Xavier Simons, Marvin Mehlem, Andy Smith and Anthony Racioppi who have all left the club so far this summer. More departures are expected with Gustavo Puerta and Steven Alzate both linked away, as has previously been reported, while Abu Kamara has been linked with Rangers, Cody Drameh with Charlton Athletic and Abdulkadir Omur with Turkish side Antalyaspor.
It is our understanding Blackburn Rovers, who made clear their interest in Sean McLoughlin last summer, are still keeping an eye on the player and the situation at City, with the Tigers possibly needing to be ready for an offer from Lancashire, too. Losing Jones and McLoughlin would leave City with John Egan, Charlie Hughes and new signing Semi Ajayi as the club’s senior centre defence options.
Currently appealing a transfer fee restriction that prevents any money being paid out this window, City have said there are no financial problems at the club, but there is no denying money from a number of sales is significantly aiding the balance sheet at the club, while potentially being key to the cash flow problems recently referenced by owner Acun Ilicali.