Hull City set sights on four new signings in critical January transfer window
Hull City’s need for a good January is absolutely paramount
Hull City are facing up to the biggest transfer window in recent memory as owner Acun Ilicali looks to back Ruben Selles in the January market to help the club avoid relegation to League One.
City have endured a disastrous end to 2024 but fans were given an early Christmas present with a fine 2-1 over Swansea City on Saturday. Victory moved the Tigers off the foot of the Championship table and out of the relegation zone, giving them a glimmer of hope that the coming weeks can see Selles’ side ease away from danger.
Key to their hopes of doing that and looking further up the table will be having a positive January, but a sensible and well-thought-out one with clever signings.
New head coach Selles has already made his feelings known to Ilicai and sporting director Jared Dublin about what he wants during the transfer window, with one of those seeing his squad size reduced.
Not only does Selles want the bloated squad reduced in number, but he also wants new arrivals he believes are capable of coming in and making an immediate impact.
Hull Live understands a minimum of four new arrivals will be forthcoming during January, with a defensive midfielder, two wingers and a striker high on the list There could also be one or two more thereafter, depending on players leaving to free up space, and finance
It’s understood that one player is close to agreeing to a loan move to the MKM Stadium after positive talks with his club, with City keen to get that wrapped up before the visit of Leeds United on January 4. Bosses at City are acutely aware of the pressing need to get deals done as quickly as possible, and there could be a second new arrival in the door during the first week of the window.
The need to add in wide areas has become another glaring issue for City after the devastating ACL injuries picked up by summer recruits Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi, with Abu Kamara, Will Jarvis and Ryan Longman struggling to pick up the slack left by the two multi-million pound arrivals.
Oscar Zambrano’s doping ban has left the Tigers with a gap in the defensive area of the midfield, so that’s an area the club are looking at strengthening and up front. Joao Pedro, Chris Bedia or Mason Burstow have not scored enough goals – just nine between them – so trying to attract a goal-scorer is paramount. Pedro and Burstow scored in that win over the Swans and will hope to add more, but adding more firepower is key.
Tyler Morton is a player the Tigers would love to have back, but it’s likely he’ll be coveted by clubs further up the food chain if Liverpool allowed him to leave.
The Tigers will be equally busy in trying to get players out of the club with Selles keen to have a squad of around 22 or 23, and that will not be easy, given the manner of performances this season. As many as six or seven could be moved on, according to sources close to City’s transfer dealings, while there will almost certainly be youngsters moved out on loan in a bid to get them competitive football at a good level.
