‘Dan’s a serious player’
MCCANN ADMITS INTEREST IN CROWLEY, BUT TELLS SAMUELSEN HE CAN LEAVE
GRANT Mccann admits Dan Crowley is a ‘serious player’ but remained coy on his imminent arrival, while also revealing the club had seen a striker bid turned down.
Hull Live reported on Friday that Hull City had agreed a deal with Birmingham City to bring the former Arsenal youngster to the KCOM Stadium on loan for the rest of the season.
The move is expected to be ratified in time for the 23-year-old to go straight into the squad for tomorrow night’s home game with Accrington Stanley.
Mccann would not be drawn on the terms of the deal specifically, though he did explain why Crowley was rated so highly.
“We are always linked with players,” he said. “Dan’s obviously one that we like, but I can’t tell you any more on that until it’s finalised or done. We are trying to strengthen on the forward areas as I’ve said before.
“He was in the top five for expected assists in the Championship last year and the other four are in the Premier League, he’s a serious player.”
Mccann also revealed the club had lodged a bid for a striker which had been rejected, as City look to bolster their attacking options for the second half of the season having lost Tom Eaves to injury for the next month at least. “Do we need a striker?
“Look, we’ve got Josh, Mallik can play as a nine, Keane-lewis Potter can play as a nine so it’s difficult in the January transfer window, they’re not cheap. We have to be flexible, we have to be adaptable.
“Yes, there was one bid we put in for a forward but it got rejected; we are looking in that area.
“If it doesn’t happen we know we’ve got Mallik, we’ve got Keane - once we get this situation with him sorted who can play as a nine also that can give Josh some help.”
Martin Samuelsen has been told he can leave in search of regular football.
The Norwegian playmaker has found it difficult to pin down a place in following his move from West Ham United a year ago.
The Mail understands bids have been received by Valerenga and his former club FK Haugesund, with other clubs in his native Norway interested.
Mccann revealed he had a positive conversation with the 23-year-old on Friday about his future.
“I can tell you that there have been two or three different offers for Martin, substantial offers as well which is good for the boy,”
Mccann said. “He’s obviously been off for 10 days as he had Covid, he’s also picked up a calf injury “which the scan shows has cleared up.
Though bids have been received Mccann says he’s not aware that any have been accepted, but that is likely to change in the coming days.
“Not that I know of, there has been some good offers for him,” he added.