Kwame Poku features: 5 EFL stars who must be on Hull City's transfer shortlist | OneFootball

FLW looks at a quintet of EFL stars who could be targeted by Hull City this summer

Highlights

The EFL remains a hotbed when it comes to potential stars and bargain transfers.

No doubt Hull City will be hoping to snap up some of those across the summer, in what is a crucial period for the club as they prepare for life under new boss Tim Walter.

Since Acun Ilicali's takeover of the club two-and-a-half years ago, a number of new signings under Walter's predecessors - Shota Arveladze and Liam Rosenior - were often high-profile, both from these shores and abroad, especially those with Turkish affiliations.

It remains to be seen whether the same transfer policy will be adopted this summer, but with that in mind, here are five stars from the EFL which should be on City's transfer shortlist.

Kwame Poku

Beginning this quintet is Peterborough United's electric left-winger, Kwame Poku.

City currently face a barrage of speculation regarding their prized asset Jaden Philogene, with Spanish giants Barcelona showing concrete interest in a potential loan deal with an option to buy next year.

It would be naive to think that the recruitment team at the MKM Stadium haven't already drawn up a list of replacements, and when it comes to dynamic wingers who fit a similar profile, Poku is definitely at the top.

The 22-year-old attracted interest from the likes of Ipswich Town and Sunderland due to his early-season form in League One last season, and that only continued despite Posh's shortcomings in the play-offs.

In a side notorious for its fluidity and chance creation, Poku registered 11 goals and seven assists, as well as other notable metrics such as 1.5 key passes per game, and the creation of 10 big chances for his teammates.

He is still under contract until 2026 so a decent sum would need to be coughed up, but it presents the former Colchester United man with a golden opportunity to finally prove his capabilities at Championship level, after finding it tough in Boro's relegation campaign in 2021/22, where he accumulated just two goal contributions.

Charlie Cresswell

City centre-back Jacob Greaves is the subject of strong interest from the likes of Tottenham, West Ham, Everton and most recently, Ipswich Town at this moment in time.

Like with Philogene, it would be naive of the Tigers' recruitment team to not have drawn up a contingency plan depending on whether the homegrown prodidgy departs East Yorkshire in the coming weeks.

With that in mind, City should potentially look to target Leeds United's Charlie Cresswell as a replacement, with the Whites' own academy graduate falling out of favour under Daniel Farke.

But, that doesn't paint the full picture, as the imposing defender proved his ability on loan at Millwall two seasons ago, netting four goals in just 28 appearances, as well as playing a part in five clean sheets for the Lions.

However, after making just five appearances for the fellow Yorkshire outfit last term and being the subject of interest from Championship clubs prior to the last January window, Cresswell is seemingly looking for a new challenge, which could've come at French outfit Toulouse, before a reported £3.8m move collapsed.

Therefore, if Greaves was to leave for a substantial amount of money, some of the cash can be re-injected in a swoop for the 14-time England U21 international.

Krystian Bielik

Birmingham City possess a high-quality squad for League One level, and the Tigers should look to use that to their advantage and target defensive midfielder Krystian Bielik.

Despite holding a number of technically gifted and ball-playing midfielders within the ranks last season, City lacked a combative presence in the middle of the park which made them so easy to play through on occasions.

Whilst Bielik's season wasn't without its flaws and a brief stint out of position at centre-back, the Polish international would prove to be a solid addition when it comes to the profile of midfielder the squad desperately needs.

He's become a household Championship name at Birmingham and Derby County, and the chance to keep this string going could prove enticing despite Blues' well-documented future plans.

Last season, he averaged 1.6 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, seven ball recoveries and was only dribbled past 0.9 times per game in his 36 Championship outings, proving his calibre and dependibility.

There are certainly far worse options Walter could deploy in this area of the park.

Sorba Thomas

Once again, City should look to use Huddersfield Town's relegation to their advantage and monitor the situation of Sorba Thomas.

The Terriers may have gone down with a whimper last season, but the same cannot be said for the Welsh international, who has continued to be a beacon of light in West Yorkshire.

Huddersfield were the second-worst side in the division when it came to goals last season, but that didn't stop the versatile 25-year-old from amassing four goals, nine assists and the creation of 16 big chances.

His versatility would also give the side a different dimension, with the ability to adapt on either flank, which means he would be an adequate replacement for Philogene on the left side, should he depart.

Cameron Brannagan

Rounding off this list is the extremely well-rounded Cameron Brannagan.

Just as the previously highlighted Bielik, the Liverpool academy graduate would easily fill a gaping hole in the centre of the park left by the departed Tyler Morton, Greg Docherty and Ozan Tufan.

Brannagan was previously on Bristol City'sradar given their appointment of his former boss Liam Manning late in 2023.

But, the midfielder's performances reached new heights at the Kassam Stadium towards the back end of the season, with the 28-year-old reaching a tally of 21 goal contributions at the conclusion of the regular season, before slotting home a crucial penalty against Peterborough, sending the U's on the way to their eventual play-off success over Bolton Wanderers.

Similarly to Edwards earlier in this quintet, Brannagan has shown great loyalty to Oxford, having rejected the chance to sign for then-Championship Blackpool back in 2022.

Now he's got the opportunity of playing second tier football with the club he signed for in 2018, it could prove extremely tough to prize Brannagan away from Oxfordshire, but given his style of play, it fills a gaping hole in midfield, one of several areas Hull need to add strength-in-depth in before the opening day.