Hull City hierarchy plot transfer agreements as Tigers anticipate embargo U-turn | OneFootball

Hull City have been hit by a transfer embargo by the EFL, but this isn't preventing them from lining up new players in preparation for the new season.

Hull City are reportedly lining up new signings for the 2025-26 season as they prepare to fight against their EFL-imposed transfer embargo.

Hull City ended last season in 21st place in the Championship, only avoiding relegation on the last weekend of the season.

The club, owned by the Turkish media mogul Acun Ilicali, had been linked with a number of players as they sought to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, but they were rocked by the news that the EFL had imposed a three-window transfer embargo over the non-payment of a £1m loan fee to Aston Villa for Louie Barry last term.

The Tigers are understood to be preparing an appeal against that decision, with Ilicali making a public statement upon the imposition of this embargo, in which he stated that "we have zero conflict with any clubs" and that, "I am sure the EFL will be understanding to our appeal and we are confident in our case".

The club have already secured the services of Sergej Jakirovic as their new head coach, after sacking former boss Ruben Selles at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Journalist Alan Nixon reports that Hull are planning an appeal against the imposition of the transfer embargo, which has already cost them the possibility of Louie Barry returning to the club.

City had reportedly agreed a £3.5m deal to sign the Aston Villa forward on a permanent deal this summer, but due to the transfer restrictions placed on the club, that move has now fallen through.

Selles is now understood to be close to bringing his former Hull loanee to his new club Sheffield United, with the Blades hoping to wrap up a deal for the 22-year-old imminently.

The embargo also seems likely to affect Hull's move for Lewis O'Brien.

The Nottingham Forest player had been offered a deal with the Tigers for next season, but as O'Brien remains under contract at The City Ground, a transfer fee would be payable which makes the move unlikely unless the club's appeal against the embargo is successful.

However, Nixon has now claimed that Hull are lining up moves for transfer targets this summer, in anticipation that their embargo will be lifted soon, and the club will be allowed to spend money on new signings once again.

The effects of the transfer embargo upon Hull are already becoming clear

Hull remain in the planning stages regarding transfers, despite the EFL's sanctions against them, and Oli McBurnie's hoped-for arrival at the club had been considered a sign of a symbol of the club's ambition for the new season.

But the position regarding this player, who had also been in talks with the club but is a free agent, is also unclear.

McBurnie spent the 2024-25 season in Spain with Las Palmas, but they were relegated from La Liga at the end of the season and McBurnie is now a free agent and had been in talks with Hull before the transfer embargo was issued by the EFL.

Hull aren't the only club interested in his services, however, as Swansea City have also been reported to have been alerted to his availability.

With just three weeks left before the new Championship season begins, Hull's position will be substantially stronger should they manage to get their transfer embargo overturned, but whether they'll be able to get the EFL to change their stance and lift their transfer restrictions before it's too late to be seen.