Hull City may be close to missing out on Louie Barry this summer, but Tigers fans will appreciate that Acun Ilicali has learned from one thing.
Following last season’s disappointing campaign, pressure is on Hull City and new boss Sergej Jakirovic to respond positively.
Hull City stayed up on the final day of the season, with Ruben Selles’ side notching a point on their travels to Portsmouth, which proved not to be enough for the Portuguese man to keep his job.
Acun Ilicali has clear ambitions for the new Hull City boss, and with that, he is keen to spend money this summer to equip him sufficiently.
Louie Barry was targeted by Hull, but such a deal now looks unlikely. Whilst on the surface it appears to be bad news for the Tigers, it actually looks like Ilicali is set to not repeat one previous mistake.
Fenerbahce Vice President Acun Ilicali
Photo by Serkan Avci/Anadolu via Getty Images
Hull City set to not repeat the mistake of accepting lofty Aston Villa requirements in Louie Barry deal
When news broke that Hull City were unlikely to further pursue a deal for Barry, despite being in advanced talks, some fans soon turned on Acun Ilicali, until the finer details behind the move were revealed.
Whilst Hull were getting a good deal, getting to sign the Aston Villa forward for £3.5million, it was reported that the Premier League side were keen to include a 50% sell-on clause.
Hull have suffered in the past with difficult contract clauses, from Aston Villa in fact, with Jaden Philogene moving back to the Birmingham-based club for a small seven-figure fee, despite an impeccable 2023/24 season in black & amber.
Hull City's Turkish chair Acun Ilicali
Photo by Murat Sengul/Anadolu via Getty Images
Acun Ilicali is taking it safe in the summer window
Unlike previous summers, it seems as though Acun Ilicali has taken a more level-headed approach when it comes to signings.
The 2024/25 summer in particular was fairly disastrous, with the Tigers leaving their business late, which played a part in the season dropping far below expectations.
Hull City have plenty of room to improve on last season, which will mean that signings are ultimately required this summer. However, deals that don’t favour Hull City in the long-term have been Ilicali’s Achilles heel in the past, which is something that he is now learning from.
Losing out on Barry will be a blow, but there is no doubt that steps will be made to pursue an alternative goalscoring forward.