The £25k-a-week issue that is affecting Middlesbrough, Hull City transfer | OneFootball

A stumbling block has emerged in Hull City's pursuit of Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng

Hull City are looking to sign Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng this transfer window, with the Tigers hoping to strike a deal for the Senegalese shot-stopper; however, there seems to be one major stumbling block at the moment.

Hull City are looking to stay in line with their transfer restrictions this January, having been placed under a transfer embargo until the summer of 2026.

According to HullLive, the EFL approved an approach made by the Tigers for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Dieng this January, with Boro eager to reduce their wage bill as they prepare a push for the Premier League.

However, as per Alan Nixon, it now looks as though there is a big stumbling block preventing the deal from being completed as yet, with the former QPR keeper looking for a payoff by Boro for him to depart Teesside for Humberside.

Seny Dieng is looking for a Middlesbrough payout to seal Hull City switch

According to Nixon, Seny Dieng is working on a payoff from Middlesbrough, with the keeper eager to complete a move to Hull this January, but his contract at Boro is worth just under £25,000-a-week, and he wants a large settlement to complete any deal.

Hull are keen to get a deal for the 31-year-old completed as soon as possible to bolster their goalkeeper ranks, which currently boasts just Ivor Pandur and Dillon Phillips as it stands.

The EFL have already approved a deal which would see Dieng make the free switch to the MKM Stadium, with a loan deal unlikely due to the restrictions that the Tigers are forced to work under at this moment.

Indeed, Dieng, who has not played a competitive match since December 2024 after losing his place at The Riverside to Sol Brynn and subsequently spending ten months out of action due to an Achilles injury, would likely not immediately take Pandur's place in goal, but instead provide competition.

When asked about a potential move for Dieng, Hull head coach Jakirovic said, "Ivor (Pandur) is now number one, but he's (Dieng) a good goalkeeper who has experience in this league, which is very, very important."

Hull City are looking to do what business they can this January to strengthen their play-off push under Sergej Jakirovic

Having been hit by an initial transfer embargo until January 2027 due to ongoing fears concerning the club's financial stability, Hull appealed this decision and ultimately had it reduced to until the summer of 2026.

This forced the club to be savvy in the summer market, bringing in the likes of Oli McBurnie and Semi Ajayi on free transfers, whilst Joe Gelhardt and John Lundstram joined on loan.

Hull, despite having one of the worst defensive records in the division, sit just outside the play-off places on 41 points after 25 games, the same tally and game played as Watford, who are just above them on goal difference, with their clash at the MKM being cancelled moments before kick-off at the start of the month.

The Tigers' unlikely promotion push has raised eyebrows around the division and forced teams to stand up and take them as serious contenders, with head coach Jakirovic looking to guide them back to the top flight this campaign.

The addition of Dieng will unlikely have too much effect, though if Pandur is to be out for whatever reason, Dieng, who has made 168 second-tier appearances across time with Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough, is a solid backup option, offering a plethora of experience, which the Bosnian boss will be hoping to make use of.