Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic has described Tim Iroeggunam’s injury as a devastating setback for both the player and the club, revealing it could influence their transfer strategy.
The Everton central midfielder had reached an agreement with the Tigers regarding a transfer, with Hull having monitored him throughout the summer transfer window, before picking up an injury during last weekend’s match against Stuttgart that may sideline him for approximately six weeks.
Although Iroeggunam’s absence won’t extend too long, Hull’s growing list of injured players means they are unwilling to gamble on investing close to £20m on someone who might not be ready until after the forthcoming international break.
As reported by this publication on Thursday, his injury has compelled Hull to review their alternatives, and while the transfer hasn’t been entirely ruled out, Jakirovic states the club are currently focusing their attention on other targets.
One possibility is Auxerre’s Kevin Danois. The French player was a priority signing earlier in the transfer window, but Hull shifted their focus and pursued Iroeggunam instead.
Danois has other suitors and has been connected with a lucrative switch to Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas. Jakirovic, however, is a strong admirer of the 22-year-old and feels he possesses the qualities required to thrive in the Premier League.
He sustained an injury, and this represents a significant setback for Everton, for us, and for the player. We may attempt to bring in someone else, Jakirovic told this publication.
Kevin Danois is my preference, and should the opportunity arise, it would be positive to sign him, though it won’t be straightforward because Auxerre are unwilling to let him leave. He holds significant value to them. Obviously he’s a talented player, and you understand that I have good instincts in these matters. We are working on numerous players. We have a list of targets, and we are progressing with that work.
While Hull had abandoned their pursuit of Mohamed Ali-Cho, Jakirovic has suggested the Nice winger could still be signed. The French player did not feature against Hull on Saturday.
Ali-Cho is certainly a talented player, though I’m unsure what transpired there. We are continuing our search, and I’m hopeful that by Monday or Tuesday we will have secured a new player.
Hull had anticipated completing a deal for Leon Bailey from Aston Villa, but the Tigers have now stepped away from the move.
Regarding remarks made by Leon Bailey’s father and representative Craig Butler, who indicated the deal could still proceed, the Croatian responded that from his perspective, the transfer remained off.
I’m uncertain, perhaps something shifted during the match, but prior to the game, there had been no change.