Hull City

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has said he is "disturbed" by claims of the club being rejected by transfer targets and, in an unusual move, attempted to clarify the situation.

"We are reading dozens of false transfer rumors in many places," wrote Ilicali in a social media post., external

"We are disturbed by the claims that we have been rejected and by the use of our club's name to gain attention.

"We have been working intensively for two months. I believe we will build a team that we will all be proud of."

Ilicali, who did not mention the reports he was referring to, added: "To prevent false speculation and to give you more information, I am leaving you with our latest transfer situation, which includes some clues..."

In the rest of his message, Ilicali numerically listed Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano and Matt Targett with ticks next to their name.

He went on to put numbers from four to 11 with the flags of countries and percentages next to them as he suggested how close Hull City were to signing players of those nations.

Read more on the story here

Image source, Getty Images

Gabe Tan, editor of ESPN Asia, says Hull City are getting "a really proficient central midfielder" in Hidemasa Morita.

BBC Radio Humberside's Mike White understands a deal is in place to sign the 31-year-old free agent.

Tan told BBC Radio Humberside: "He is really that typical central midfielder. He dominates that engine room. Very energetic, very tidy in distribution.

"He has a lot of experience in a really quality league in Portugal. Overall, I think they are getting a really proficient central midfielder.

"He's no nonsense in the way he goes about his business.

"They're getting someone who will come in and play a role straight away. Maybe that is what Hull City are looking for - not a long-term project but a strong reinforcement right from the get-go."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here

Image source, Hull City

Hull City have signed Matt Targett on a two-year deal, with a club option of a further year, after the defender left Newcastle at the end of his contract.

The 30-year-old left-back said "it was a no-brainer" to join the Tigers, but he expects a "massive challenge" on their return to the top flight.

"I'm at an age now where I feel like I am an experienced head to pass on previous experience of the Premier League to players who have not been in this situation. I'm hoping I'll be a huge help in the dressing room," said Targett.

Targett has represented Southampton, Aston Villa and Newcastle United in the Premier League, but spent last season on loan in the Championship with Middlesbrough.

"It was during the England game on Saturday night that my agent rang me and said Hull City were interested," added Targett.

"The next minute, I was on a phone call with the owner. He is very invested in the football club and speaks very passionately, so it didn't take much convincing to join.

"It's going to be a massive challenge, but we can take huge confidence from what the likes of Sunderland and Leeds did last season.

Targett played 46 times for Middlesbrough last season, scoring four goals and starting the play-off final against Hull City.

Rangers are set to formalise their interest in Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry after Anderlecht had a £5m bid rejected and with Hull City, ParisFC, Red Bull Salzburg and West Ham also keen on the 21-year-old. (Simon Collings on X, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

I understand Hull City have agreed a deal to sign free agent midfielder, Hidemasa Morita.

The 31-year old Japanese international was recently linked with a move to Ipswich.

It's a move four-and-a-half years in the making as the Tigers were scouting Morita as far back as 2022.

Morita spent the last four seasons at Portuguese giants Sporting, making over 165 appearances.

He won the Primeira Liga on two occasions and notched 11 goals in all competitions for the club.

Listen to talk about Hull City every Monday to Friday on Humberside Sport at 18:00 and subscribe to our dedicated Hull City page on BBC Sounds for all the latest Tigers interviews, discussion and special features.

Now the dust has settled on the 2026 World Cup, you can officially review your Predictor results for the tournament.

If you played more than four rounds, BBC Sport has done a deep dive into your predictions, tournament performance and compared you to other players.

Don't worry, though, Predictor isn't stopping at international tournaments! Pre-season has kicked off and there are plenty of friendlies and European qualifiers to keep us occupied before the new season gets under way.

So how do you fancy your chances of correctly predicting the scores for our six selected matches every week?

BBC Sport has launched a new weekly Predictor game to cover the 2026-27 season, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from six fixtures from across the leagues.

There will usually be a Friday deadline and the game will also feature streaks, so make sure to build it into your weekly football habits.

Lock in your first round of predictions before Friday, 24 July here

If you're wondering how to play, here are a few easy steps:

• Click on the link above to take you to the selections page.

• For every match, you either choose a winning team or select a draw - once your prediction has been submitted you won't be able to change it, so be sure to pick carefully.

• Then wait for the results to roll in to see how you have done.

• Share your results with your friends and family.

• Every consecutive round you play adds one to your streak, but if you miss a round then your streak will reset to zero.

Mohamed Moallim
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League's financial landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Since 2016 total summer transfer spending has risen from £1.16bn to a record £3.19bn in 2025 – an increase of almost 175%.

On the surface, that suggests transfer figures are continuing to accelerate. Headline fees, though, tell only part of the story.

Research by Kieran Maguire and colleagues at the University of Liverpool suggests some of the Premier League's earlier record signings represented even greater investments when measured against clubs' buying power at the time.

Using Premier League broadcasting revenues as an index, Alan Shearer's £15m move from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United in 1996 remains the league's biggest transfer relative to clubs' spending power. Rio Ferdinand's £29.1m move to Manchester United in 2002 and Juan Sebastian Veron's £28.1m arrival at Old Trafford in 2001 also rank above any of this summer's blockbuster deals.

The same model suggests Trevor Francis' £1m move from Birmingham City to Forest in 1979 – English football's first £1m transfer – would equate to about £173m in today's market.

That does not mean the fees paid for Morgan Rogers, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali were modest. Rather, it reflects how dramatically Premier League revenues have grown, allowing clubs to spend sums that would once have been unimaginable.

When Jack Grealish became Britain's first £100m footballer when joining City from Villa in 2021, the transfer marked another turning point in the evolution of the market.

Only five years later, nine-figure deals are no longer viewed as extraordinary. They have become a familiar feature of Premier League transfer windows.

The next milestone may not be far away.

While no Premier League club has yet paid £200m for a player, football's financial ceiling continues to rise and the first transfer of that magnitude no longer feels beyond the realms of possibility.

• Read more on transfer fee evolution

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City have completed the permanent signing of Ecuadorian midfielder Oscar Zambrano, 12 months after he finished a loan spell at the club.

The 22-year-old signed a four-year contract - with the option of an additional year - after the newly promoted Premier League side agreed an undisclosed fee with Slovenian side Maribor.

Zambrano made eight appearances for the Tigers in 2024-25 season after joining from Ecuadorian side LDU Quito on a season-long loan.

In November 2024, the defensive midfielder was given a 16-month suspension by South American football confederation Conmebol for breaching anti-doping rules while playing for Quito.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the ban to 12 months, and Zambrano returned to competitive action in November 2025 with Maribor. Injury limited him to seven appearances for the club.

Zambrano has been capped 14 times at under-20 level by his country and began his footballing education at the same academy as Chelsea's Moises Caicedo at Colorados Jaipadida.

Zambrano is Hull City's second signing of the summer after the arrival of 33-year-old goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to pick one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target you want Hull City to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Here are some of your suggestions:

Dom: We need to sign Carvalho, Gelhardt, Stroud, Zambrano, Targett, Bamba Dieng, Tzolakis, Bailey, Morton, Yu, Amir. Sell/loan - Akintola, Dowell, Jacob, Omur, Kamara, Destan, Burstow, Ashbee, McCarthy. All by end of this week or next. Big ask.

Charlie: One player I would like to see leave is Abu Kamara, who doesn't have enough quality to earn any minutes in the Premier League. A return to Portsmouth would be brilliant for him and would guarantee game time. One player I would like to see join is Jens Petter Hauge from Bodo/Glimt. He's a player who has really stood out in the Norwegian league and Champions League. He would fit in well with Sergej Jakirovic's system and would cause chaos down that left-hand side in the Premier League.

Les: One in - Patrick Agyemang from Derby County. One out - Matty Jacob.

Sarah: I would like to see Kamara leave and I'd like to bring in Gabriel Mec.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City are keen on Norwich full-back Kellen Fisher.

The 22-year-old has been discussed by the Tigers as they look to add to their squad following promotion.

There has been no direct club contact as Hull assess their options as they prepare for a return to the Premier League.

They are also interested in Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, who will be allowed to leave Villa Park this summer.

The versatile Lewie Coyle and ex-Leeds defender Cody Drameh are the current right-back options for boss Sergej Jakirovic.

Fisher has made 102 appearances for Norwich since joining from Bromley in 2023 and has earned two England Under-21 caps while with the Canaries.

Jasmine Lowe
BBC News multiplatform journalist

Image source, Hull City

Eight weeks after firing Hull City into the Premier League, Oli McBurnie is still grinning from ear to ear.

His last-gasp goal in the Championship play-off final at Wembley won not only the "richest game in football", but also a trip to Las Vegas for the whole squad, paid for by owner Acun Ilicali.

"It took a couple of weeks for it to sink in properly," McBurnie said. "Acun taught me to say it was the best moment of my professional life, not my whole life, so I don't get in trouble with the Mrs," he added with a giggle.

The Scotland international might have missed out on selection for the World Cup, but he enjoyed his own US adventure with Ilicali and his teammates.

"While we were there, a woman came up to me and asked me to sign her arm. She came back 10 minutes later with the signature tattooed, it was insane.

"I know a little bit about tattoos so I know that they are on you forever," added the striker, who has dozens inked across his body.

Usually after a summer break, going back to work and routine feels like a comedown, but McBurnie and his teammates cannot wait.

For some, playing in the Premier League will be the pinnacle of their careers.

Like McBurnie, Lewie Coyle found himself being recognised during his holidays. When asked if it was his best summer break ever, he didn't hesitate to say yes.

"Jetting off to Vegas was incredible," Coyle said. "We made memories for life. We didn't hold back, that's for sure.

"The chairman put on an incredible trip. I think there was a few sore heads for the coming days after that."

In recent years, Coyle has spoken openly about losing his father. His post-match TV interview at Wembley was an emotional one and, looking back now, he says he felt overwhelmed.

"I took my medal to my dad's grave," he revealed. "I sat with him for maybe half an hour, put the medal around his headstone and just had a chat with him and told him that I had done it. I kept my promise to him.

"I always say to him: if you can see us all, you will know your legacy is continued."

Read the full article here

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic said last week the Tigers were close to completing a deal for Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

In light of this, BBC Radio Humberside's James Hoggarth spoke to Greek football journalist Konstantinos Lianos to find out more about Tzolakis.

"We are talking about a player who is very good with pressure," Lianos explained.

"That's exactly what Hull are about to deal with on their return to the Premier League. Every time a Championship club returns to the Premier League, they're automatically dubbed the favourites for relegation.

"We have historically seen defenders and goalkeepers do better in the Premier League. When it comes to Greek players it's always a safe bet. Tzolakis has played in the Champions League.

"He was the youngest ever Greek goalkeeper to compete in a Greek cup final, aged 17, 10 months and four days. He had the most clean sheets in the 2024-25 Europa League with six clean sheets in 10 games."

Lianos explained Hull's target keeper is also a fine shot-stopper but he expects the Tigers will have to "dig deep" in order to pay to sign him permanently.

Listen in full here

Image source, Getty Images

Thirty-four years ago a £13m transfer caused national outrage in Italy.

When AC Milan signed Gianluigi Lentini from Torino in 1992 for a then world record fee, newspapers called the deal "obscene", while the Vatican's official newspaper described it as "an offence against the dignity of work".

Today that fee would barely register among the Premier League's biggest transfers.

This summer alone Chelsea have agreed a club record £117m deal for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Manchester City paid Nottingham Forest £116m for Elliot Anderson, and Tottenham spent a club record £100m on Sandro Tonali.

These are not the only major deals. Tottenham also agreed an £85m move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, Barcelona paid £69m to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, and Manchester United spent £50m on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.

It is the first transfer window in Premier League history to produce three £100m-plus signings - and there are still weeks to go before deadline day on 1 September.

During the 2025 summer window English top-flight clubs spent a record £3bn.

So why are transfer fees continuing to climb? Why are clubs paying record sums for players already playing in England? And why are more clubs willing to sell some of their biggest stars?

Read more here on the big spending taking place in the Premier League

With the 2026 World Cup done and dusted, the return of club football is back on everyone's minds.

Pre-season preparations are under way and we want you to have a think about Hull City's squad.

Tell us one player you would like to move on this summer and one realistic target - away from expected signings Konstantinos Tzolakis and Matt Targett - you want the Tigers to bring in before the transfer window shuts.

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeper Jack Butland says "part of the reason" why he joined Hull City was to add to his nine England caps.

The 33-year-old signed a two-year contract, with the option of an additional 12 months, as the Tigers prepare to return to the top flight after a nine-year absence.

Butland still holds the record for England's youngest-ever goalkeeper, having made his senior debut in 2012 at the age of 19, and said he feels "a great deal" of pride about it.

"It was a great opportunity, great moment for me, and a record I hope will stand for a very long period of time. I then had another eight caps after that and I would like to add some more. That's also part of the reason why I'm here," he told BBC Radio Humberside.

On how it feels to be returning to the Premier League, Butland added: "Really good. We've got some challenges ahead, I think that's what you want as a player. It's going to be an exciting season. It's a league and a level I believe I am more than capable and can thrive in and I'm excited to be back.

"This is very much a time where I consider myself in my prime and in a great spot in my career and I'm excited to showcase that. I want to play for as long as I possibly can.

"I want to play, ultimately it's up to me, but that's the challenge and that's what I have come here for. It was just about backing myself. I believe I have already shown what I can bring and what I can do.

"I know I am capable of doing the number one role and that is my only thought process going into the season."

Listen to the full chat by pressing play below or here on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic spoke to BBC Radio Humberside about his potential new contract: "This is a question for Mr. Chairman. We had one conversation, we agreed that we'd speak in person with my agent. In the next few days we'll have a meeting.

"I'm very happy here. I don't see any problems, this club feels like my home. I have no doubt that we will agree with everything, but we will see.

"I'm waiting Mr. Chairman. We have talked overall how he and I see the situation."

Jakirovic was appointed Hull boss in June 2025 on a two-year deal.

The 48-year-old joined the now Premier League side after a short spell in charge of Turkish Super Lig outfit Kayserispor.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Hull are interested in signing Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey.

The Jamaica international will be allowed to leave Villa Park with the club looking to trim the wage bill and average age of the squad.

Hull, who are also signing left-back Matt Targett on a free transfer, having limited funds this summer and any deal for Bailey may be an initial loan.

The Tigers are planning for the Premier League after winning the Championship play-offs last season but had to sell goalkeeper Ivor Pandur to Rangers and midfielder Aidon Shehu to Panathinaikos to avoid a possible points deduction.

Striker Kyle Joseph also joined Middlesbrough for around £4m.

The EFL's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) restrict Championship clubs to losses of £39m over three years. Hull had an overspend of about £6m for the period to 2025-26.

Bailey, 28, spent the first half of last season at Roma before being recalled by Villa in January.

There was no recall clause in the deal but given Bailey's lack of minutes - starting just two games - and Villa's need for an extra body it was decided he would return.

He made 19 appearances for Villa, scoring once, as they finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Europa League.

Bailey joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen for £25m in 2021 and has scored 23 goals in 163 appearances.

Hull City are signing free agent left-back Matt Targett who left Newcastle United this summer.

I understand it's a two-year deal and he'll join the team in Slovenia.

The 30-year old spent last season on-loan at Middlesbrough, starting the play-off final against the Tigers.

Listen to talk about Hull City every Monday to Friday on Humberside Sport at 18:00 and subscribe to our dedicated Hull City page on BBC Sounds for all the latest Tigers interviews, discussion and special features.

Image source, Getty Images

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic has told BBC Radio Humberside the Tigers are close to completing a deal for Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

"I can say 95% [done]," said Jakirovic, external. "We have agreed everything so we have to see.

"He is very happy that he will join us. He's a very good lad, professional and played for his national team Greece for a while.

"Everything is good. Of course he is happy, he is going to be playing in the Premier League."

On why there's the 5% of uncertainty over 23-year-old Tzolakis, Jakirovic added: "Because you never know when the player has a medical. When he has signed the contract, he is then your player. That's the 5%."

Hit play below to hear the full 14-minute interview with Jakirovic, which includes confirmation he is in early talks over a new contract, or listen here on BBC Sounds, external

Explore all Hull City content on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us what you're looking forward to about club football returning.

Here are some of your replies:

Chay: I'm just looking forward to going to the games with my son. We've been season-ticket holders for years now and we are back in the big time. I'm ready to ride the Premier League rollercoaster!

Tim: I'm excited to see if the signings are good enough to keep City out of a battle to avoid relegation.

Don: Can we stay up? That's got to be our main target. Come on you Tigers. I'll follow you forever, even from Spain!

The World Cup has done a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.

As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax and England supporters' disappointment sinks in, there is a Hull City fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.

So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?

Get in touch here