Newcastle target’s exit from Tigers
LONG-term Newcastle United target Abel Hernandez has confirmed he is leaving Hull City this summer and is available on a free transfer.
The 27-year-old striker scored eight goals in just eight Championship starts for the Tigers last season – taking his total number of strikes to an impressive 28 in just 49 league appearances for Hull.
Uruguay international Hernandez, who will not be at the World Cup in Russia with his nation this summer, has struggled with injury problems during his four years in England but he has been one of the Tigers’ best performers when fit.
Newcastle looked at the forward when he played for Italian outfit Palermo before he joined Hull, while it is understood that Hernandez was one of the forwards United considered making a move for before acquiring Joselu last summer.
Yet an Achilles’ injury in mid-August ruled Hernandez out for six months, meaning Newcastle turned their attentions elsewhere.
However, with Hernandez now out of contract and available as a free agent, the Magpies are believed to have the Uruguayan on a 50-strong list of forward targets.
Hull were desperate to keep the striker, but Hernandez confirmed on his Twitter account on Saturday that he’ll leave the KCOM Stadium this summer – with Aston Villa, Newcastle, Scottish champions Celtic and Italian club Sampdoria all reportedly interested in the forward. “I am writing to say THANK YOU to all the fans of Hull for these four beautiful years, in which they have give me all the affection, during good times and also during the not-so-good ones,” Hernandez wrote.
“You never stopped showing me your full support and affection, and I am deeply grateful. I will never forget the matches in which you singed [sic] my name, this is something that I will have forever in my heart.
“This is why you deserve to know, directly from me, that my time in Hull is now over, everything comes to an end and, today, I have to say goodbye...”
Rafa Benitez wants to sign a proven top-level forward, meaning Hernandez is unlikely to be a priority target, but should the Spaniard decide to sell either Joselu or Dwight Gayle – alongside Aleksandar Mitrovic – then an additional striker will be sought, too.