The Tigers snapped up one of their top transfer targets ahead of the big kick off
Former Wolves striker Don Goodman believes Oliver McBurnie’s decision to join Hull City has come as something of a surprise after the Tigers struck an eye-catching deal last week.
McBurnie signed a three-year contract at the MKM Stadium last week and made his debut after 70 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Coventry City in the season opener on Saturday. The striker even managed to get himself a booking after a three-man melee with Matt Crooks and ex-Tigers goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.
It’s been a summer of will-he-won’t-he join the Tigers, while interest from Sheffield United, Ipswich Town and Swansea City further complicated matters, as did the Tigers’ EFL transfer embargo and fee restriction.
A return to Bramall Lane looked possible for the 29-year-old after the Blades offered him a contract to see him head back to the club he left 12 months ago, but the Scotland international resisted that temptation to take the number nine shirt at the MKM Stadium.
That decision has left Goodman a tad surprised: “It’s a tiny bit of a surprise that Oli McBurnie would choose Hull City over Sheffield United if that is a genuine option for him,” Goodman told FLW. “Obviously, Hull City only survived on the last day of last season.
“They currently have transfer embargoes, and I think most people, myself included, fear that their campaign will be done towards the bottom of the Championship rather than the top. So, it’s a little bit of a surprise, but Sheffield United will have to keep looking. I do think it’s an area they would like to bring a player in.
“They wanted the tried-and-tested McBurnie who, although not prolific, is a handful, so it depends who they bring in as to whether missing out on him is a blow.”
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