Benfica and Hull City ‘to agree’ Ivanovic loan with obligation to buy | OneFootball

Franjo Ivanovic is moving closer to joining Hull City from Benfica on a loan with an obligation to buy, Record reports.

The deal is set up as a loan with a fee and would include a mandatory purchase clause. The triggers for that clause are still being discussed, with agreement said to be edging nearer.

The structure suits Benfica, who see a path to recovering last summer's outlay. Ivanovic arrived from Union Saint-Gilloise for 22.5 million euros fixed, with a further five million in add-ons that were not met.

If completed at the figures under discussion, Benfica could even bring in more than the initial spend. One factor that could have proved decisive for Hull City is the presence of head coach Sergej Jakirovic at the English club, who knows Ivanovic from Croatian football, having led Dinamo Zagreb and tracked him while the forward was at Rijeka.

Jhon Durán's arrival has increased competition up front at Benfica, opening the door to Ivanovic's exit. Rui Costa is preparing to finalise a deal that would help balance the books and offer the striker a chance to relaunch his career in England.

Source: Glorioso 1904