Tigers have work to do on contracts
Hull City have had a tough start to life back in the Championship as they sit just outside the relegation zone after almost a quarter of the season. If the Tigers are to maintain their status as a second-tier club at the end of the campaign then they will be hoping to keep hold of the majority of their players.
However, there are currently 10 first-team players whose contracts are due to expire in June.
Any fears of relegation may leave those with Championship pedigree to evaluate any other potential suitors before sitting down to discuss a deal with the Tigers.
If any of those players who City would be interested in offering extensions to were to leave on free transfers then it would leave the club in a much worse position. With no income for the player as well as a void to fill, any free departures are likely to worsen the squad.
It is imperative that talks begin as soon as possible about new contracts for the players who deserve them. If they are left in the dark about whether or not they are getting a new deal then it may lead them and their agents to negotiate with other clubs.
The 10 players who are into the last year of their City contracts are as follows: Matt Ingram, Josh Emmanuel, Sean Mcloughlin, Callum Elder, Tom Huddlestone, Richie Smallwood, George Honeyman, Mallik Wilks, Josh Magennis and Tom Eaves.
With that list of players being a defender short of a full starting XI, the club must act swiftly to ensure they are not left short-changed heading into next summer’s pre-season. Several of the names on the list are understood to have options in their contracts for another year but there must still be agreement from all parties for those to be activated. Due to their importance to the team, it is likely that negotiations for players such as Ingram, Elder, Smallwood and Magennis will be high on Hull’s list of priorities.
If players like them are allowed to leave on a free in the summer then, regardless of the division they are playing in, the Tigers are going to struggle next season.