Hull City are continuing to have talks with potential new recruits despite the uncertainty regarding their ongoing transfer fee restriction appeal.
City had hoped to hear the outcome of their appeal against a three-window fee restriction imposed on them by the EFL by the end of the month, but that now looks likely to take place in the first week of August, much to the frustration of bosses at the MKM Stadium.
The Tigers can still sign free agents and loan players, and are on the cusp of signing former Sheffield Wednesday defender Akin Famewo, with a deal agreed. They are also expected to bring in former Sheffield United promotion-winner John Lundstram.
Lundstram is set to agree a free transfer move from Turkish side Trabzonspor, with the 31-year-old believed to have agreed an initial two-year deal at the MKM Stadium.
The ex-Blade is under contract with the Turkish Super Lig side until 2027, but it’s understood the Tigers have been able to agree a deal with the Liverpool-born midfielder, which would see him exit his deal early and return to England, where he would link up with former Bramall Lane teammate John Egan.
City are also in talks with Lundstram’s Trabzonspor teammate Enis Destan. The 23-year-old forward could join the club on a season-long loan to bolster its attacking ranks.
The Trabzonspor performer, who agreed a contract extension with the club last February to see his deal run until June 2028, has netted nine times in 51 Super Lig outings, clocking up six assists.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have not given up hope of signing Oli McBurnie. The East Yorkshire club have spent much of the summer courting the Scotland international, and it was thought his wage demands would end any hope of the deal coming to pass, but Hull Live understands there is still a possibility the deal could happen.
McBurnie, it’s thought, remains keen on moving to the MKM Stadium to link up with the likes of Matt Crooks and John Egan – players he knows well, having been impressed by boss Sergej Jakirovic, and that one cannot yet be ruled out.
What happens with McBurnie will have a direct impact on Matija Frigan. The Westerlo forward is one of Jakirovic’s top targets, but City would be unlikely to sign both this summer.
Jakirovic said last week that he felt Frigan was exactly the type of player he wanted in his squad, and felt a move to England would be the next step in the forward’s career.
Meanwhile, some confusion has surrounded the future of Abdus Omur. Hull Live has reported throughout the summer that the Turkish international was heading to Antalyaspor on a season-long loan, and he has done so.
While neither club has confirmed anything, Abdus has since played for Antalyaspor in a friendly, and his season-long loan move back to the Super Lig is expected to be ratified soon.
Steven Alzate and Alfie Jones are also expected to complete moves to Atlanta United and Middlesbrough, respectively. Gustavo Puerta’s and Reda Laalaoui’s futures remain up in the air amid ongoing discussions with the EFL. The club hope they can seek a resolution to both of those with the governing body.
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