City revise player transfer plans

Now that Hull City have returned from Portugal - and the season kicking off at home to Swansea City is just days away - the transfer policy in place for the club has been revised, with the current transfer window set to close in a little over a month's time. Can City offload any more players and reduce the financial burden? CI takes a look at the chances... 

Hull City manager Nigel Pearson has had his current transfer policy spelt out as the Tigers attempt to wrestle their finances back under control. And it's been made clear that new signings James Harper and Nolberto Solano apart, there will be no new players coming into the club - unless current players have been offloaded first.

Confirming such a policy, Hull City's Head of Football Operations - Adam Pearson - claimed that new manager would have some work to do first before bringing in new recruits - 'We brought James Harper and Nobby Solano in, two players that were specific targets. But that will be it until we get to the wage level we want to get to.'

Two likely candidates to be on their way from the club are striker Kamel Ghilas and midfield ace Jimmy Bullard. As reported yesterday on CI, Ghilas has been courting attnetion in the French League and here at the Towers we now believe the club willing to take the Algerian international on loan for the season is Arles-Avignon. City will shoulder some of the reported £16k a week wage in the hope the switch will generate a permanent move.

However, matters concerning JImmy Bullard's exit are far from clear cut. Indeed, Adam Pearson warned - 'Jimmy has been in training with the team in Portugal but won't be playing any of our pre-season games. We simply can't afford to take the risk of him picking up an injury. It would be best for all parties if he can find another club but there has been no suitable offers. If Jimmy is still here by the end of the transfer window he will be in contention for Hull City. He is still under contract with us.'

That news is of course giving emerging young star Tom Cairney the opportunity to shine during the pre-season campain - and the 19 year old is relishing the chance after featuring in all of Nigel Pearson's plans during the matches against Winterton, North Ferriby United, York City and Sunderland so far.

Cairney revealed on the chances given to date - 'Hopefully I can play a lot of games, but I know we've still got a good squad and a lot of great players, and I think the manager may rotate the squad because we've got a busy schedule - so I'm just hoping to play really.'

And the emerging midfield star concluded after a season in the Premier League and facing the prospect of second tier football - 'A few players have told me the Championship is a bit more physical than the Premier League, with a lot more contact, but I guess I'll only be able to see that if I play on 7 August.'

 

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