Rangers FC plotting cut-price raid for Hull City star - Russell Martin has wanted him before | OneFootball

Abu Kamara has been the subject of exit talk from Hull City this summer

SPFL giants Rangers are plotting a cut-price transfer raid for Hull City winger, Abu Kamara.

That is according to an update from Sahil Jadika of Sky Sports on the publication's Transfer Centre Live Blog (10:50 - 10/07) as the Tigers' uncertain start to life under the stewardship of Sergej Jakirovic has been overshadowed by a dark cloud of financial uncertainty.

Hull finished 21st in the Championship last season, surviving the drop into League One ahead of Luton Town on goal difference, with the aforementioned Croatian appointed in early June following Acun Ilicali's decision to part company with Ruben Selles, who has since been named as Chris Wilder's successor at Yorkshire rivals, Sheffield United.

There was optimism for a brief period that the East Yorkshire outfit could enjoy a season of steady progress after last term's plight down the standings. However, that was extremely short-lived as two embargos, which have since been lifted, hit the club relating to loan deals involving Louie Barry and Finley Burns from Aston Villa and Manchester City respectively, whilst the potential of a three-window transfer fee restriction still hangs in the balance as the club prepare to learn their fate after appealing the punishment.

Unsurprisingly, this has had an immediate knock-on effect regarding transfer activity, and the winger who signed just 11 months ago could be heading for the exit door at the MKM Stadium as a result.

Kamara was signed by Tim Walter on Deadline Day last August for a fee in excess of £4m from Norwich City after previously shining on loan at Portsmouth during the Blues' League One title-winning campaign.

Much like plenty of his teammates, it was a season of extremely mixed fortunes for the 21-year-old, who found it tough to endear himself to supporters in the months which followed his move. He was wheeled out to partake in a joint press conference with Selles in January after being on the receiving end of fan backlash relating to social media activity, days before a dramatic brace opened his Tigers account and earned a pivotal 3-3 draw against eventual champions, Leeds United.

Kamara made 38 Championship appearances in total last season, also scoring huge goals against Plymouth Argyle, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City, and has since been the subject of strong exit talk from HU3 in the early weeks of the summer window.

It has previously been claimed that Pompey would "love" to reunite with the man who netted 10 goals and registered 11 assists at Fratton Park in the 2023/24 campaign, whilst Sky Sports have now reported that Russell Martin is eyeing a potential cut-price swoop for the former England Under-20 winger due to City's current financial landscape.

Martin was linked with a transfer raid for the London-born man last summer following Southampton's promotion to the Premier League. However, a deal failed to materialise and Kamara would move to his current employers.

European prospects could entice Abu Kamara to make Rangers FC move

It would be yet another reminder to Hull of their erratic spending and major squad overhauls throughout Ilicali's tenure in the boardroom if Kamara was to depart so soon, with Marvin Mehlem and Anthony Racioppi another two names who were signed last summer that have since left the club permanently.

With Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi set to return following respective long-term ACL injuries, it is likely that Kamara wouldn't be guaranteed the same amount of regular starting opportunities, meaning a move to Ibrox would be particularly attractive.

Martin has clearly been a long-term admirer of the wide man, which could also influence proceedings, as well as a first chance to prove his worth on the European stage. The Light Blues begin their route towards the UEFA Champions League 'League Phase' in the second qualifying round against Greek side, Panathinaikos, later in the month.

Meanwhile, if a sale by Hull was to be sanctioned, it remains to be seen who could be eyed up as a replacement, with no incomings expected until a verdict on the aforementioned appeal is made final.