"This is no disrespect to Hull" - West Brom in surprise talks with Tigers for Okay Yokuslu deal | OneFootball

The Turkish international has been linked with a move to the Tigers, as well as a possible return back to his homeland this summer.

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 are in talks with West Brom over a permanent deal for central midfielder Okay Yokuslu.

As first reported by Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu and followed up on by Hull Live, the Tigers are battling with Turkish giants Besiktas to secure a deal for the international midfielder.

The 30-year-old has been a key member of the Baggies' squad for the last two seasons, but with just 12 months remaining on his contract at The Hawthorns, this summer presents as the last chance for Albion to net a transfer fee for him before he is free to sign elsewhere in 2025.

West Brom would be disappointed to lose Okay Yokuslu to Championship rival

Football League World's Baggies fan pundit, Matt Smith, doesn't see why Yokuslu would be interested in a move to Hull, and questions whether the pros of selling him would outweigh the cons of improving a direct promotion rival.

"I think it would be a lot more disappointing if he went to Hull, as opposed to a club in Turkey," Smith told FLW.

"The reason being for me, is that I can understand why he'd want to move back to Turkey, finish his career in his homeland, and we'd receive a decent fee - it almost makes perfect sense.

"However, I just do not see why he'd want to go to Hull to be honest, because, and this is no disrespect to Hull, but I just think we're probably at the same level at the moment with similar ambitions.

"We finished two places apart last year, and I don't see why he'd want to go. That'd be disappointing if he chose Hull over Albion, given how I think we've done well for him, and he's done well for us.

"It'd be disappointing because we'd be strengthening a promotion rival, and it'd be disappointing because, what, £2 million, £2.5 million, probably isn't worth receiving as opposed to strengthening an opponents' promotion bid.

"Receiving £2 million isn't worth weakening our promotion bid, and strengthening Hull's, put it that way."

West Brom caught between a rock and a hard place amid Okay Yokuslu, Hull City links

Receiving a cash injection from the sale of Yokuslu would help Carlos Corberan's side head back into the market to further strengthen their squad this summer.

Albion have already made an addition to their central midfield ranks this summer too, with the signing of Ousmane Diakite from Austrian side Hartberg.

Therefore, the club may well have already found their long-term Yokuslu replacement, softening the blow considerably should the club decide to cash in.

But there's no doubt that selling the former Getafe and Celta Vigo midfielder to a fellow Championship side would be to directly boost Hull's promotion chances, and therefore, there are question marks over whether it would be worth it.

The best case scenario appears to be selling Yokuslu to a Turkish side, as Albion can receive a fee, and not have to worry about him coming back to haunt them at any point during the season.

However, respected Turkish journalist Ertan Suzgan revealed on Wednesday afternoon that Yokuslu's proposed move to Besiktas has fallen through, with the player now evaluating his options.

If a deal can't be reached for him to sign for a club in Turkey, the Baggies will have a tough decision to make over possibly selling him to another Championship club.