Hull City backed to strike Liverpool transfer - 'I'm all for it' | OneFootball

Lewis Koumas has been heavily linked with a loan switch to the Tigers

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 backed to secure the services of Liverpool's young winger, Lewis Koumas, for the remainder of the Championship season after the Welsh international's previous loan stint with Birmingham City was curtailed earlier this week.

It has been widely reported that the wheels are firmly in motion for the Tigers to secure a loan swoop for the nine-time international's signature, having expressed their interest in the previous summer window before being beaten by the ambitious Birmingham, who are still some 11 points behind the East Yorkshire side at this moment in time.

Indeed, the opening months of Sergej Jakirovic's tenure at the MKM Stadium has been beyond the wildest of many City fans' dreams, especially after the club were hit with a two-window transfer fee restriction shortly after the Bosnian's appointment in June.

However, their recent 2-1 success over Swansea City in HU3 ensured that Jakirovic's side surpassed the club's points total for the entirety of last season - 49 - with 18 Championship encounters still to play.

Despite their impressive recent form, City remai somewhat hamstrung on the injury front, with several first-team regulars still sidelined, as well as being limited in the transfer market

As such, further developments beyond Koumas signing on the 'dotted line' need to take place before the 20-year-old can finalise his loan switch, but it is one which Football League World's Hull City fan pundit, Cameron Gibson, believes could pay off.

Lewis Koumas backed to improve at Hull City after Birmingham City struggles - Liam Delap comparison made

During his five-month period at St. Andrew's, Koumas was unable to assert himself as a regular starter and a source of goal contributions, with his only strike for Blues coming in the recent 3-2 success over Coventry City on January 4th.

Such form came off the back of a mixed loan stint with Stoke City, where he accumulated six goals and three assists in 49 appearances last season.

Although the Chester-born playmaker has divided opinion, Gibson sees potential comparisons between Koumas and Liam Delap, who ignited his career in a successful stint with the Tigers after struggling at the Bet365 Stadium and with Preston North End beforehand.

"I think he's a young player, 20 years old. He's obviously not hit anywhere near his full potential so far," Gibson told FLW. "But, there's been countless players in the past that we've used who have had loans elsewhere in the Championship, and they've not worked, and they've come to us, and they've worked out.

"I can name people like Tyler Morton. When he was at Blackburn, people thought he was good, but he didn't hit the heights that he hit at Hull City.

"Liam Delap, again, I think he'd been to Stoke and a couple of other loans, and it'd not worked out. But then he came to Hull City and it worked. So there's every chance that Koumas could come to Hull City, and it could work," he explained.

"I think it will probably mean the end for Joel Ndala (on loan from Man City), which is unfortunate for him because he has shown promise," Gibson claimed. "But, again, he's a very young, raw player with not a lot of experience.

"To be honest, he could probably do with a season in League Two or League One, just to go and rip it up, get a load of confidence, and then the sky's the limit if you do go back into the Championship with that in your back pocket.

"I can't see Koumas getting a lot of starts. But, we've seen from players like Yu (Hirakawa) from Bristol City on loan, that players can come off the bench and have just as much of an impact," Gibson added.

"I watched Manchester United's last couple of games to see Cunha coming off the bench scoring for them. They (substitutes) are really important players.

"So, if Koumas has the right attitude, and he wants to come and wants to achieve success, then I'm all for it if he's got that mindset where he might not start every game, but every minute he gets, he'll give everything.

"I remember his goal for Liverpool in the FA Cup against Southampton, where I think he made his debut for the first team, so he's got high pedigree.

"I won't be against us signing him as long as he's going to fit into the dressing room. Pretty much all the signings we've made in the summer and so far in January have all been able to fit in with the dressing room and push them even further, which is what we want," he continued.

"His time at Birmingham does put a little bit of doubt in your mind. But, when you remember he's 20 years old, he plays for Liverpool, you know, there's got to be something there.

"And, with a manager like Sergej Jakirovic, who seems to get the best out of every player in the squad, I'd give him a good chance of doing well at us," our fan pundit predicted.

"It's an exciting time under a transfer embargo. You'll never say no to a loan player from one of the big clubs in the Premier League, especially when you're under these restrictions."

It is clear that Koumas is a player highly-rated by Jakirovic, who issued these comments on the Anfield prospect after Birmingham secured an initial loan deal.

"Koumas is a very good player, a young player, with big potential, so we will see. We will see what will happen in the future," said the Bosnian.

Like his spell at St. Andrew's, the youngster may have to be content with a rotation-esque role behind the likes of Liam Millar, Kyle Joseph and Joe Gelhardt, but he could certainly flourish in a high-pressing style which the Tigers have adopted under Jakirovic.

It seemed as though his pending arrival would spell the end for Ndala or David Akintola, who has also been the subject of exit talk in recent weeks despite impacting games on occasions, although it has since been reported that Turkish forward, Enis Destan, is expected to see out the season on loan with Belgian Pro League side, KVC Westerlo, that would free up a space in Jakirovic's squad.