Hull City owner 'disturbed' by transfer claims

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has publicly pushed back against what he described as inaccurate transfer speculation, saying he was “disturbed” by suggestions that players had turned down the club. The intervention came through a social media post as Hull prepare for the 2026-27 Premier League season after winning the Championship play-off final in May and ending a nine-year absence from the top flight.

According to the BBC, Hull have already added goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers, midfielder Oscar Zambrano from Maribor and defender Matt Targett after his departure from Newcastle United. Ilicali said the club had been working intensively for two months and accused some rumours of using Hull’s name for attention, though he did not identify specific reports. In an unusual step, he then shared a numbered update on the club’s transfer position.

The list marked Butland, Zambrano and Targett as completed signings, followed by eight further numbered entries using national flags and percentages to indicate how close deals may be. A Japan flag was listed at 99%, and BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White has reported that Hull have agreed a deal to sign free-agent midfielder Hidemasa Morita. Greece and Sweden were shown at 90%, while Australia, Croatia and Portugal were each shown at 80%.

The update follows comments from head coach Sergej Jakirovic that Hull were close to signing Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. Ilicali has also recently said the club secured a £55m bridging loan to strengthen its financial position and support transfer activity.