Hull City urged to strike reunion with 65-cap international - "I would love to see him under Sergej Jakirovic" | OneFootball

The Tigers' January transfer moves will be limited by EFL restrictions once again

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Hull City have been one of the surprises of the Championship season thus far, with the East Yorkshire side firmly putting their pre-season uncertainties behind them.

As has become the norm in recent times, the Tigers weren't exactly far away from the headlines in pre-season, which saw Sergej Jakirovic replace Ruben Selles at the MKM Stadium after the club's Championship status was preserved by the narrowest of margins last term.

The Bosnian arrived in HU3 with a strong overseas reputation after success in Croatia and Slovenia with clubs such as Dinamo Zagreb. But, given Acun Ilicali's prior track record with continental exports, there was understandable skepticism.

However, after a dire campaign last time out, Hull have been one of the most entertaining sides to watch in the second-tier thus far, with a 3-2 success over Portsmouth last time out embodying such thoughts, as well as it being enough for Jakirovic's men to rise back into the play-off places after 15 games.

Such work has also been done in spite of a transfer fee restriction imposed on the club by the EFL in July due to previously delayed payments, with City unable to pay a transfer or loan fee for any incomings until next summer, after the punishment was reduced to a period of two windows.

Such goings-on will, of course, impact the club's flexibility in January, which, in turn, could decide Hull's fate in an unexpected play-off push.

However, there is a familiar face who Football League World's Hull City fan pundit, Cameron Gibson, believes should be targeted on an initial loan basis.

During Ilicali's tenure, which began in January 2022, City supporters have been treated to seeing several high-profile names don the black and amber.

One of the first in that regard was Turkish playmaker, Ozan Tufan, who joined from Turkish Süper Lig giants and the boyhood club of City's owner, Fenerbahçe, for £4m on a three-year contract.

Tufan was no stranger to the English game at this point, albeit a previously underwhelming loan stint with Watford in the Premier League led to major criticism from those in the stands at Vicarage Road.

However, the 65-time international made himself a firm favourite at the MKM, particularly during Liam Rosenior's spell in charge between November 2022 and May 2024.

After an eight-goal haul in his first campaign, Tufan hit double figures in 2023/24 for the Tigers as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs, before he returned to his home country to join Trabzonspor for €2m.

Since then, though, he has made 47 appearances, but has been reduced to numerous substitute appearances this season so far. As such, Gibson has urged City to look into a potential loan reunion.

"Due to the transfer restriction, I think it's unlikely Hull City would target the likes of Fabio Carvalho," he explained. "But, I do think, realistically, we could maybe get Ozan Tufan back on loan.

"He's not playing every game for Trabzonspor, and he was loved by the fans, scored some amazing goals and really grew into Liam Rosenior's team," Gibson added.

"I would love to see him under Sergej Jakirovic, working with an enthusiastic, high-energy manager. I do think Ozan Tufan has unfinished business in a Hull City shirt.

"It may take him a short period to get used to the cold weather in January from Türkiye. But, I do think he loves the club. I love him, and I think the fans love him. It would be a match made in heaven if he was to come back.

"Apart from that, I think the squad's in a really good position," Gibson claimed. "It would only be down to injuries.

"If it looks like McBurnie's not going to return anytime soon, are there any veteran strikers out there that could come in and do it for us?

"Apart from that, the squad's in a good place and I wouldn't be changing much about it."

Of course, there was a mutual respect between Tufan and City supporters during his time in East Yorkshire, and that has somewhat remained when casting an eye on his developments for Trabzonspor.

Given the club's current limitations in the market, it would be another ambitious move from the Tigers, but one they are certainly capable of pulling off, as showcased by some of their summer arrivals.

Furthermore, Tufan would still be a familiar face with some of Jakirovic's squad who remain from his two-year stint, as well as John Lundstram, who was acquired on a temporary basis from Trabzonspor in July, and cited conversations he had with the Turk before agreeing to return to England.