Wire flash
SportsHull City owner Acun Ilicali denies transfer rejection claims, posts negotiation progress chart
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has publicly stated he is 'disturbed' by media claims that the club has been rejected by transfer targets as they prepare for their return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence. In an unusual social media post, Ilicali listed the club's three confirmed signings—goalkeeper Jack Butland, midfielder Oscar Zambrano, and defender Matt Targett—with ticks next to their names. He then posted numbers 4 through 11 with country flags and percentages, suggesting the progress of ongoing negotiations. A Japan flag at 99% aligns with reports of a deal for free agent Hidemasa Morita. Other flags included Greece and Sweden at 90%, and Australia, Croatia, and Portugal at 80%. Ilicali did not specify which reports he was disputing but emphasized the club has been working intensively for two months and aims to build a team fans can be proud of. The club recently secured a £55m bridging loan to strengthen its financial position for transfers.
Source report
Image caption: Acun Ilicali became owner of Hull City in January 2022
By Mandeep Sanghera, BBC Sport journalist
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has said he is "disturbed" by claims that the club has been rejected by transfer targets and, in an unusual move, attempted to clarify the situation.
The Tigers are returning to the Premier League after a nine-year absence, following their victory in the Championship play-off final in May.
So far, they have signed:
- Jack Butland (goalkeeper) from Rangers
- Oscar Zambrano (midfielder) from Maribor
- Matt Targett (defender) following his exit from Newcastle United
...as they prepare for the 2026-27 top-flight campaign.
"We are reading dozens of false transfer rumours in many places," wrote Ilicali in a social media post.
"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 Butland, Zambrano and Targett with ticks next to their names. He then listed numbers four to 11, accompanied by country flags and percentages, suggesting how close Hull were to signing players from those nations.
At number four, he posted the Japan flag with 99%. BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White has reported that the Tigers have agreed a deal to sign free agent midfielder Hidemasa Morita.
Among the other entries:
- Greece flag — 90%
- Sweden flag — 90%
- Australia flag — 80%
- Croatia flag — 80%
- Portugal flag — 80%
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic stated earlier this month that the Tigers were close to completing a deal for Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Ilicali recently said the club had taken out a £55m bridging loan to be in a "strong financial position" and help with completing transfers.
Follow Hull City on BBC Sounds
Pre-match, post-match and topical Tigers content.
Listen on Sounds
Subscribe and listen for everything you love about Hull.
Related Topics
- Football
- Hull City
- Premier League
Source
BBC SportWestern
Part of this Story
Hull City Owner Acun Ilicali Denies Transfer Rejection Claims