Sergej Jakirovic hopes to prise Sorba Thomas away from Mark Robins in the next few days
Sergej Jakirovic hopes to prise Sorba Thomas away from Mark Robins in the next few days (Image: Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock)
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The final few days of the transfer window are expected to be frantic, with Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic primed for more arrivals ahead of Tuesday night's deadline.
Owner Acun Ilicali was at the club's Cottingham training ground on Thursday to head up more recruitment meetings as the Tigers look to secure their final deals of what's been a frantic summer so far since promotion was secured at Wembley back in May.
A big part of those recruitment meetings in the next two days will centre on moving players out of the club, with the Tigers aware of the need to trim down the numbers so Jakirovic is able to name his 25-man squad next month without having a host of players sat in the stands kicking their heels.
Mohamed-Ali Cho’s arrival from Nice is set to be confirmed ahead of Saturday’s trip to Coventry City, and so, too, will Ilyas Ansah, the Union Berlin frontman, with the pair both agreeing five-year contracts in East Yorkshire.
City are in talks with Serie A giants Roma over an initial loan move for Robinio Vaz, the 19-year-old French striker who is highly rated and would arrive with a fair amount of excitement. Fabio Carvalho has remained a long-term target, and City's interest has never gone away, but Brentford are uneasy about letting the Tigers' former loan ace move, as he returns from an ACL injury, though Jakirovic was coy about that particular topic. One player that won't be coming now is Deportivo La Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez, while Real Betis' Pablo Garcia is also unlikely at this stage.
The club are also increasing their bid for Stoke City winger Sorba Thomas, with a desire to get that done as soon as possible if they can agree terms with the Potters.
Toby Collyer is wanted by City, and talks are ongoing with Manchester United over a move for the 22-year-old midfielder, though he could yet end up at Middlesbrough if the Tigers opt against getting that completed.
There will also be outgoings, too, with Matty Jacob set to exit and, so, too, Oscar Zambrano, who is on his way back from a hamstring injury and has two clubs chasing his signature. Any departure for Zambrano would only be a loan.
"We agreed on everything with Ali Cho, so I think he will be announced today (Thursday)," Jakirovic said. "Ansah will go on medical checks, so after the medical check, I am expecting that tomorrow it will be finished. This is a great signing for us.
"Maybe I'm expecting one more midfielder, and on the left side, one more. I don't know who will be coming. Vaz, Yeremay (Hernandez), (Sorba) Thomas, I don't know, because we are speaking, we are working with a few options, so who will be faster?
"Who will agree faster financial terms, the player, agent, mother, father, grandfather, or club? This is very important; all three sides must be satisfied with everything."
City head to Coventry on Saturday looking to make it back-to-back wins at the start of the Premier League season, and they'll go there without any fresh injury concerns.
Lewie Coyle and Semi Ajayi were both rested at Stoke City in midweek, along with Matt Crooks and Oli McBurnie, but they're all fine and will be involved at the CBS Arena, as will Hidemasa Morita, who made his first appearance of the season in the second half of their Carabao Cup victory. Joe Gelhardt is due back in training on Monday with a view to being in the squad for the home game with Aston Villa next Saturday teatime.
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