Hull City edging closer to securing transfer agreement for League One winger | OneFootball

Ruben Selles has issued a Hull City transfer update amid the club's pursuit of Sorba Thomas

Ruben Selles has issued a hopeful Hull City transfer update, with the club retaining an interest in Huddersfield Town winger Sorba Thomas amid a complicated situation with FC Nantes - where he is currently out on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.

The Spanish head coach has undertaken a hectic first transfer window in charge at the MKM Stadium, with a number of additions arriving in order to aid Hull's Championship survival bid.

Five acquisitions have already been sealed in Joe Gelhardt, Nordin Amrabat, Kyle Joseph, Lincoln and Eliot Matazo, with three of those playing a considerable role in the Tigers' stunning 3-0 away victory at promotion hopefuls Sheffield United on Friday evening.

But Selles is hopeful of completing two more signings before the window shuts next Monday, with Thomas remaining very much on the radar ahead of a potential return to English football's second-tier.

Hull City's Sorba Thomas transfer interest amid hopeful Ruben Selles update

As per a report from HullLive, the Tigers have agreed a deal with Huddersfield for the experienced wide-man.

However, that report described how a "stumbling block" had been hit with the Ligue 1 outfit due to Thomas enjoying a good relationship with boss Antoine Kombouaré despite being in and out of the side this term.

The 14-cap Welsh international has started nine Ligue 1 matches for Nantes but is said to be keen on returning to Yorkshire, where he has a young family.

Hull have reached an agreement with the Terriers, who loaned Thomas out to France following their relegation to League One last season, and remain positive about getting a deal over the line in spite of recent complications in their pursuit.

Huddersfield are reportedly unable to recall Thomas from his loan stint, meaning Hull will have to negotiate with Nantes - who have an option to make the deal permanent should they decide.

Significant progress has now seemingly been madethough, with a fresher report published by HullLive revealing Thomas could be left out of Nantes' squad against Lyon on Sunday evening following developments between the two sides over the last 48 hours.

Selles is hopeful that a deal for Thomas can be completed, as he explained to HullLive: "I'm still expecting a couple of things, as we have discussed.

"I think we still need to finish the project that we wanted to do, and that means trying to find an extra body in the front that can make the difference for us.

"I will be glad if we've got everything that we want when the window is closed. I think the club is making a good effort. Jared (Dublin, head of recruitment) and his team are working really hard to get the players and the profiles that we want and I think that we are going in the correct direction.

"It's going to be different (when the window is closed), but when the window is closed, you can fully focus on the games."

Sorba Thomas could be an outstanding signing for Hull City

The 25-year-old is evidently a chief transfer target for Selles - and little wonder.

Thomas has accumulated a wealth of Championship experience, having thrived at this level with some of the finest chance creation numbers in the division with Huddersfield, but still has plenty more to offer at the age of 25 and could return to the second-tier an improved player after spending the last five months playing top-flight football.

Thomas possesses outstanding crossing abilities and can break lines with his creative forward passing, which was a hallmark of his game with Huddersfield. He has real pace and can beat defenders one-v-one too, helping his side considerably in transition.

His versatility is another appealing factor, too.

Thomas is capable of playing on either flank but has also operated in central midfield for Nantes this season, where he can naturally see more of the ball.

Whether Selles would be intent on deploying him centrally or back out wide remains to be seen, but Thomas is a fantastic attacking outlet at this level and could well prove to be a seriously-impressive pick-up for the remainder of the campaign and beyond.