Hull City- Look To Progress Deals For Top-Flight Duo amid the fastly approaching opening day of the Championship

Hull City are still looking to complete deals for Liam Millar and Kasey McAteer amid the fastly approaching opening day of the Championship, according to reports.

The Tigers finished in seventh place last season as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs by just three points. As a result, Liam Rosenior was sacked and replaced by Tim Walter. The change surprised many but with the club financially backing Rosenior throughout the season, the board felt he had not achieved their expectations.

A key part of the squad last season was their wingers. Jaden Philogene and Ozan Tufan became mainstays of the side as suggested by both players reaching over 30 appearances apiece in the league. Their influence was crucial in combining with Fabio Carvalho and consistently being a threat to the opposition. Philogene would ultimately end the season with 12 goals and six assists with Tufan finding the net 10 times with two assists.

However, ahead of the upcoming season, both players have left. Philogene has re-joined Aston Villa for a fee of around £13,500,000, whereas Tufan has headed back home, signing for Trabzonspor in Turkey. Both moves have led the players to play for clubs in European competitions, further emphasising their qualities.

As a result, Hull City have been linked with replacements as they look to fill the void left by the duo. Liam Millar is the first player that has been chased after his brilliant season at Preston North End. The winger would apply his skillset as a wing-back whilst playing at Deepdale and he would excel in this role as he scored five goals and registered five assists. Despite his great season, he would return to Basel after the loan and has been evaluating his options.

On the other hand, the Yorkshire outfit are also looking at a move for Kasey McAteer, as has been reported by Hull Live. The 22-year-old played a part in Leicester City‘s Championship-winning season as he appeared 23 times and scored six goals. His momentum would ultimately be derailed by an injury around October time which cost him his place in the starting eleven. Regardless, McAteer would prove his qualities on the wing and as an attacking midfielder under now-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Furthermore, journalist Darren Witcoop has added an update to Hull’s double transfer pursuit, claiming that the Tigers remain in talks over a deal with both clubs as they look to equip themselves for their opening-day clash against Bristol City. Witcoop has also confirmed that City face competition from a number of Championship clubs for the pair.

Writer’s View

Overall, this duo would be a great signing for Hull City as they desperately need to replace the players that have already left this summer. The club also have a substantial transfer kitty to reinforce their squad due to Philogene and Jacob Greaves departing to Premier League sides.

Therefore, the signing of two wingers who have proven versatility and are capable of playing in the Championship is good business. However, they need to get it finished soon and also look at strengthening other parts of the squad after Millar and McAteer are potentially confirmed.