Championship’s rumour mill is in overdrive at MKM
DAVID FLETT SUMMARISES THE STARS LINKED WITH CITY SO FAR
The Championship season has only just concluded with Nottingham Forest promoted after a tight play-off final against Huddersfield Town, but Hull City have already been linked with a host of potential new signings for the 2022-23 campaign.
Despite the transfer window not reopening until next month, the Tigers have agreed a deal in principle to recruit Hatayspor midfielder Adama Traore and, here, we look at all the players who have been rumoured to be possible MKM Stadium targets during the traditionally mad month of May.
Saba Lobjanidze
The attacking wide player scored eight times and also provided eight assists during his first campaign for Turkish Super-lig club Hatayspor this season.
A Georgian international whose club contract expires in the summer of 2024.
Ayoub El Kaabi
The Moroccan international top scored with 18 goals for Hatayspor, also in his maiden season for the club.
He has one year left on his contract, but the Turkish club’s vice-president has confirmed that the Tigers have contacted him about El Kaabi and Lobjanidze, who formed a potent partnership in 2021-22.
Jean Michael Seri
There is confirmed Tigers’ interest in the 30-year-old Ivory Coast international, who is out of contract at newly-promoted Fulham having helped former City chief Marco Silva lead the Cottagers back to the Premier League.
The experienced midfielder counts Galatasaray, Bordeaux and Nice among his former clubs.
Curtis Davies
Would be a popular signing to add experience to the Tigers’ backline, given the sterling service he gave the club for four seasons before departing in 2017.
Despite turning 37, he played every minute of Derby’s Championship campaign this season and is wanted for next term’s tilt at League One promotion by Wayne Rooney.
Bristol City are also keen to make a swoop but Davies only spoke last year of a desire to return to the MKM Stadium and Shota Arveladze is understood to be monitoring his situation.
Benjamin Tetteh
The 24-year-old Ghanaian international striker, who plays for Malatyaspor in Turkey, was briefly linked with a move to East Yorkshire, but the Mail has been told that rumour was off the mark.
Fernando Martins
Similarly a mooted move for Antalyaspor’s Brazilian midfielder Martins - once of Spartak Moscow - has been ruled out.
Ryan Babel
Reports of a swoop for the ex-liverpool winger, who is out of favour at Galatasaray, have also been rejected by both the player and City owner Acun Ilicali despite discussions having taken place between the pair during the January transfer window.
Freddie Ladapo
The Tigers are understood to be one of a number of Championship clubs, as well as League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday, interested in signing the out-of-contract Rotherham striker, who has scored 34 goals in 104 outings for the Millers.
Jack Tucker
City have watched Gillingham’s highlyrated 22-year-old defender in recent times along with a host of other Championship clubs.
He is not expected to agree new terms at Priestfield after the Kent club’s relegation to League Two, but a compensation fee would need to be paid by suitors for his services due to his age.
Yunus Emre Cift
The Turkish under-19 international made his breakthrough at second division side Samsunspor in 2021/22.
The right-sided centre-back played 22 times in his maiden senior campaign.