Hull City manager Ruben Selles has expressed a cautious optimism regarding potential last-minute transfers as the January window approaches its conclusion. While he is largely satisfied with his current squad, he has not entirely dismissed the possibility of a surprise signing. This comes in the wake of his decision to forgo a loan deal for Southampton defender Charlie Taylor, a move that reflects his confidence in the players already at his disposal.
The Tigers have been proactive in the January transfer market, securing seven new signings aimed at bolstering their competitiveness in the Championship. The latest addition, Louie Barry, has arrived from Aston Villa, joining a roster of new faces that have already begun to make a positive impact on Hull's performances. The club has enjoyed a resurgence, recording two victories in their last three matches, including an impressive 3-0 triumph over Sheffield United last Friday, a result that highlighted Selles’ tactical prowess since his appointment last month.
Initially, Selles had shown interest in acquiring Taylor to strengthen the defensive line. However, he has opted to retain his current squad unless a more compelling opportunity arises. He has praised the recent performances of Sean McLoughlin and Matty Jacob, who have both stepped up admirably in defence. While Selles acknowledged that Lewie Coyle and Cody Drameh are capable of filling the left-back role if necessary, he appears content with the options currently available to him.
In terms of attacking reinforcements, Hull City has successfully enhanced both the depth and quality of their squad, aligning with Selles’ objectives for this transfer window. New signings such as Joe Gelhardt, Matt Crooks, Nordin Ambrabat, Lincoln, Kyle Joseph, and Louie Barry have all contributed to improving the team’s capabilities.
Despite the significant progress made in their transfer dealings, Selles remains open to the prospect of a dramatic last-minute acquisition should the right player become available. Acun Ilicali, the club’s owner, has also expressed enthusiasm about the potential excitement of deadline day, hinting at the possibility of unexpected developments.
As Hull City navigates the transfer landscape, the club is also looking to offload several players. Anthony Racioppi is set to join FC Koln, Chris Bedia is expected to move to Young Boys in Switzerland, and Xavier Simons has attracted interest from various clubs. In a statement to Hull Live, Selles remarked, "I expect a couple of players to be out of the building. I think we did our job, and then unless it's something at the last minute that can change the dynamic, it can happen because those 24, 48 hours at the end are sometimes a little bit crazy."
On the subject of the left-back situation, Selles noted that discussions with Taylor have stalled. He reiterated his preference for players who are fully committed to joining Hull City, emphasising the importance of team cohesion over hasty signings. "Absolutely. The last thing I want is to have a player that is signed just at the last second, and we don't have any information or anything, because that can be critical for the group, I think," he stated.
Selles commended the performances of McLoughlin and Jacob, saying, "Sean has done a fantastic job as a left back in that position. Matty has done a really good job when he has played from the bench or in the beginning, and I think we are covered." He also mentioned that Charlie Hughes is expected to return in three weeks, further solidifying the defensive options available to him.
Regarding goalkeeper arrangements, Selles confirmed that Burns is likely to remain for the remainder of the season, despite uncertainty surrounding his loan from Manchester City. Following the departure of Carl Rushworth, Hull City will rely on Ivor Pandur, Thimothee Lo-Tutala, Harvey Cartwright, and Archie Howard to cover the goalkeeper position, as Racioppi prepares for his move to the Bundesliga.
Concerning Dogukan Sinik, who is currently sidelined and yet to return to training, his future remains uncertain as the Turkish transfer deadline approaches on 15 February. Discussions are ongoing regarding Abdus Omur, who has attracted interest but has yet to receive any formal offers. Selles emphasised the need for careful evaluation regarding both players, stating, "I think we will need to evaluate those options as a club and do what is best for the club and for the player."