Tigers Transfer Talk: Weekly Hull City round-up, Steven Fletcher linked

It's time for another weekly round-up of Hull City transfer rumours. Most of it will be nonsense but we love it anyway!

(C) Express

Saturday 11^th June 2016

It was suggested by @TransferCentreL yesterday but appears in today’s Daily Record - City are interested in another released player – ex-Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher. The Scot has been linked time and time again since Steve Bruce became manager so this isn’t unexpected. According to the report though, Celtic lead City and Aston Villa in the “race” for his signature.

Friday 10^th June 2016

Nick Powell was officially released by Manchester United and the twitter account @TransferCentreL reports City, Wigan, Leeds and Blackburn want to sign him on a free transfer.

Thursday 9^th June 2016

The law of the transfer window states that Hull City or Norwich City must be relegated and the one that is has to sell a top player to the other. According to the usually unreliable HITC, that player this window is Ryan Bennett. The former Grimsby centre-half, 26, joined Norwich from Peterborough in 2012 for around £3m. Middlesbrough and Celtic are also rumoured to be interested. The BBC website suggested Middlesbrough had made an enquiry but not the others.

Wednesday 8^th June 2016

HITC speculate on the future of Nick Powell today. Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and his one-time temporary home Wigan are amongst the clubs said to be chasing him on a free transfer from Manchester United. City were linked last Sunday.

Tuesday 7^th June 2016

The Mirror make an obvious link today. City are said to keen to bring back former Tiger James Chester from WBA. Chester has never settled at Albion after his £8m move last summer. He was rarely used by Tony Pulis and when he was, it was often at right-back. Swansea are also interested in the Welsh international who should cost less than that previous £8m price tag but a hell of a lot more than the £300k it cost Nigel Pearson to bring him to City in the first place.

The Mirror article also claimed City are interested in Will Grigg. See below for the reason behind this nonsense!

Monday 6^th June 2016

It used to be a challenge to separate the transfer rumours from the real stories. Nowadays the challenge is even working out what is a real rumour. The terrible HITC carried a speculative story on the future of Wigan striker Will Grigg this morning. They mentioned that City were 16/1 to sign him. That’s a massive price that is indicative of nothing whatsoever. The Hull Daily Mail then carried the story on their website, pure “clickbait”, with no context whatsoever. It then appeared on the Nottingham Post and Yorkshire Post amongst others. No doubt that will lead to a spate of bets being placed and the odds will tumble. Then it will become a story. Modern journalism, eh?

Sunday 5^th June 2016

The Bristol Post report that Bristol City are trying to turn striker Lee Tomlin’s loan from Bournemouth into a permanent £2.5m move. The Post say a bid has been lodged but it has not officially been confirmed by either club. They also say that Hull City, Newcastle and Norwich have been admirers of the player. City have been linked with Tomlin in several transfer windows so this is likely to be old news – as is this story, it was published on June 2^nd but has gone under the radar.

The Sun and the Daily Star both report that City want to sign Nick Powell on a permanent transfer. The 22-year-old midfielder-cum-forward joined Manchester United from Crewe for an initial £4m in 2012 but it hasn’t worked out at Old Trafford and despite his loan spell with The Tigers being a complete waste of time this year – the papers say Steve Bruce wants to keep him.

Also in The Sun, released City striker Sone Aluko is rumoured to be a target of former City manager Nigel Pearson’s Derby County.

Saturday 4^th June 2016

The Hull Daily Mail carried a rumour linking City’s 21 goal striker Abel Hernandez with Fiorentina. I’ve done some digging and the rumour appears to have started a few days ago on Italian football website Calcio News 24. There’s no substance to the story whatsoever with the only justification being Fiorentina’s new director of sport Pantaleo Corvino’s admiration of Hernandez. I’m sure lots of people admire him – it doesn’t mean they’re getting him!

The Express link Hull City, Brighton, Celtic and Rangers with 30-year-old Newcastle defender Steven Taylor. Barring a loan with Wycombe, Taylor has spent his whole career with Newcastle and has represented England at all levels but fell just short of a full cap. He may have progressed further but a career blighted by injury means he has only ever managed to play thirty league games in a season once. Perhaps for that same reason, he’s not a very good defender – as is always the case when you get a player whose key attributes are said to be loyalty or bravery. Hopefully this is nonsense.

Radio Humberside’s David Burns poured cold water on the Oliver Norwood rumour on Twitter suggesting it was a fabrication by an agent. Burnley are favourites to sign Norwood.

PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW 2013/14

ARSENAL

LAST SEASON: 4^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Yaya Sanogo - Auxerre (FRA) - Free

KEY DEPARTURES: Andrey Arshavin - Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS) - Released, Denilson - Sao Paulo (BRA) - Released, Vito Mannone - Sunderland - 2.8m

WHAT'S NEW?

Not a lot. Arsenal are sitting on a stack of money they can't spend. Failed with moves for Higuin who went to Napoli and Luis Gustavo who joined Wolfsburg. Key target Luis Suarez looks likely to stay at Liverpool and interest in Wayne Rooney was a fantasy. Another struggle to win the 4th place trophy beckons. Over 3000 days since they last won a trophy.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Liverpool agree to sell Suarez, Arsenal finish 3rd and win the FA Cup.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Spurs end the Arse's 16 year run of Champions League football.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Finding 3 top players in the next 2 weeks.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Arsene Wenger.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 5^th

 

ASTON VILLA

LAST SEASON: 15^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Aleksandar Tonev - Lech Poznan (POL) - Undisc, Jores Okore - Nordsjaelland (DEN) - Undisc, Nicklas Helenius - Aalborg (DEN) - Undisc

KEY DEPARTURES: Darren Bent - Fulham - Loan, Jean II Makoun - Rennes (FRA) - Undisc, Richard Dunne - QPR – Released

WHAT'S NEW?

A load of players most have never heard of. Villa have abandoned their interest in young British players and gone for young foreign players instead. Holding on to Christian Benteke was crucial and some of the boys who struggled last season should mature but another season in the bottom half is almost certain.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Sneaking into the top half.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Having an excellent Championship side in 2014/15.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Christian Benteke's goals and a much improved defence.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Andreas Wiemann.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 14^th

CARDIFF CITY

LAST SEASON: 1^st (Championship)

KEY ARRIVALS: Andreas Cornelius - FC Copenhagen (DEN) - 7.5m, Gary Medel - Sevilla (SPA) - 11m, Steven Caulker - Tottenham Hotspur - 8m

KEY DEPARTURES: None.

WHAT'S NEW?

Premier League football is. Cardiff return to the top flight after a 51 year absence and put 3 years of play-off heartache behind them. Stormed, deservedly, to the Championship title last season and have spent big and attracted real quality this summer.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

If everything clicks, they could finish in the top 8.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Upsetting a settled unit with expensive buys on big money could see them return to the Football League quick smart.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Integrating the new players and getting goals from Cornelius.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Gary Medel. Fantastic player. Absolute nutcase.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 15^th

CHELSEA

LAST SEASON: 3^rd

KEY ARRIVALS: Andre Schurrle - Bayer Leverkusen - 18m, Marco van Ginkel - Vitesse Arnhem (HOL) - 8m

KEY DEPARTURES: None. But half the squad have gone on loan around the world.

WHAT'S NEW?

Chelsea have a 5^th new manager in the last 4 years. I can’t remember his name though. The squad has remained settled despite plenty of rumours and must improve having massively underachieved in the Premier League in the past 2 seasons.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Winning the title and having a long run in the Champions League. Nothing else is good enough.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Another lackluster league campaign and not being involved in the CL past February.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Reflecting the managers determination and arrogance on the pitch.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Andrea Shirley. German is the Premier League’s first female pro.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 1^st

CRYSTAL PALACE

LAST SEASON: 5^th (Championship)

KEY ARRIVALS:  Dwight Gayle - Peterborough United - 6m, Jerome Thomas - WBA – Released,  Jose Campana - Sevilla (SPA) - 1.75m

KEY DEPARTURES: Andre Moritz - Bolton Wanderers – Free

WHAT'S NEW?

Not as much as Ian Holloway would have liked. Aside from taking a massive gamble on Dwight Gayle and what looks a very shrewd signing in Jose Campana, Palace have struggled to recruit proven quality and look by far the weakest squad on paper.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Returning to the Championship with bulging pockets.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Is it still called “Doing a Derby”?

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Either pulling several rabbits out of the transfer hat in the next 2 weeks or cheating 15 penalties out of referees again.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Dwight Gayle.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 20^th. Sorry.

EVERTON

LAST SEASON: 6^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Antolin Alcaraz - Wigan Athletic – Free, Arouna Kone – Wigan Athletic – 6m, Gerard Deulofeu - Barcelona (SPA) - Loan

KEY DEPARTURES: None.

WHAT'S NEW?

Everton have a new manager, losing David Moyes after 10 years. In comes the well admired Roberto Martinez whose teams play attractive football but can’t defend. He inherits a strong squad with better defenders than he’s had before and some talented forward players. Kone is a super signing while Deulofeu, who is highly thought of in Spain, could be a master stroke.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Martinez attacking principles lead Everton to a top 4 finish.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Martinez defensive flaws lead Everton to a mid-table finish.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Finding the right balance between defence and attack.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Marouane Fellaini. Thug.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 8^th

FULHAM

LAST SEASON: 12^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Adel Taarabt – QPR - Loan, Darren Bent – Aston Villa – Loan, Derek Boateng - Dnipro (UKR) – Free, Maarten Stekelenburg – Roma (ITA) - 3.5m.

KEY DEPARTURES: Mahamadou Diarra – Released, Mark Schwarzer – Released, Mladen Petric – Released

WHAT'S NEW?

Mohammed Al Fayad selling up after 16 years as Fulham’s owner was the big story of the summer. Don’t worry though, the Michael Jackson statue is still in place. Meanwhile Martin Jol has gone quietly about his business this summer with several shrewd but low cost signings.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

A top 8 finish is possible if Fulham click.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Several temperamental personalities in the dressing room mean they could slip into a dog fight when the going gets tough.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Taarabt and Bent helping Berbatov rather than getting in his way.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Adel Taarabt. I hope his Oyster card is topped up.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 12^th

HULL CITY

LAST SEASON: 2^nd (Championship)

KEY ARRIVALS: Ahmed Elmohamady - Sunderland - 2m, Allan McGregor - Besiktas (TUR) - 1.8m, Curtis Davies - Birmingham City - 2.25m, Danny Graham - Sunderland – Loan, Maynor Figueroa - Wigan Athletic – Free, Tom Huddlestone – Spurs – 5.25m, Yannick Sagbo - Evian (FRA) - 1.6m

KEY DEPARTURES: Corry Evans - Blackburn Rovers - 750k, Jack Hobbs - Nottingham Forest – Loan,  Tom Cairney - Blackburn Rovers - Loan

WHAT'S NEW?

Ten players are new. Steve Bruce got The Tigers promoted against all odds with a squad lacking goalkeepers, having several loan players and severely lacking in top flight experience. He’s done an excellent job of replenishing the team on a tough budget. THERE IS NO CHANGE OF TEAM NAME!

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Massive investment form the Asian market leads to several world class acquisitions in January and City clinch the Premier League title with 2 weeks to spare.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Relegation, obviously.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Keeping the small number of really top quality players fit to play in most of the 38 games.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Danny Graham.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 17^th

LIVERPOOL

LAST SEASON: 7^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Iago Aspas - Celta Vigo (SPA) - 7m, Kolo Toure - Manchester City – Released, Luis Alberto - Sevilla (SPA) - 6.8m, Simon Mignolet - Sunderland - 9m

KEY DEPARTURES: Andy Carroll - West Ham United - 15.5m, Jonjo Shelvey - Swansea City - 5m, Pepe Reina – Napoli – Loan, Stewart Downing – West Ham United – 6m

WHAT'S NEW?

So far, not a great deal. Liverpool should do better than last season as they were much improved once Sturridge and Coutinho joined in January. They’ve signed good players but not players who’ll make a massive difference. Could still pull out a truly world class signing.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

The North London sides implode and Liverpool sneak into 4^th place.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Finishing below Everton. Again.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Keeping Luis Suarez and keeping him happy.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Simon Mignolet. Has big shoes to fill.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 6th

MANCHESTER CITY

LAST SEASON: 2nd

KEY ARRIVALS: Alvaro Negredo - Sevilla (SPA) - 20m, Fernandinho - Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) - 30m, Jesus Navas - Sevilla (SPA) - 14.9m, Stevan Jovetic - Fiorentina (ITA) - 22m

KEY DEPARTURES: Carlos Tevez - Juventus (ITA) - 12m

WHAT'S NEW?

It’s nothing new but City have spent nearly a hundred million quid again. New manager Pellegrini has been provided with several top European performers to add to an already bulging squad. He absolutely must improve on their dire performances in the Champions League which was what truly did for Roberto Mancini.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

A quadruple?

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

More CL misery and United winning the title in spite of Moyes.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Settling quickly and maintaining a settled team. Mancini fiddled too often.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Negredo. He’s still not over the disappointment of missing out on a move to Hull.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd

MANCHESTER UNITED

LAST SEASON: 1^st

KEY ARRIVALS: None.

KEY DEPARTURES: None.

WHAT'S NEW?

For the first time in 26 years we’ll see a United team that isn’t managed by Alex Ferguson. I don’t think David Moyes can fill his shoes. His handling of the Wayne Rooney “saga” has been less than authoritative and publicly chasing players who didn’t want to join is not the United way.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

The Championship in his first season would be an excellent achievement for Moyes.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Finishing below City and being exposed in the CL.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Rooney and van Persie.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Moyes.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 2^nd

NEWCASTLE UNITED

LAST SEASON: 16^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Loic Remy - QPR - Loan

KEY DEPARTURES: None.

WHAT'S NEW?

Not a lot. Newcastle have spent most of the summer providing comedy value for football fans everywhere and not enough time strengthening a squad that was very, very lucky there were 3 sides more useless in the division last season. That said, Newcastle do have quality, most of it French, and if they can get a settled side out, they could be fine.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

If allowed to show their va va voom, they could be top half.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

They are just as likely to fall through the “relegation trap door”.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Remy staying out of prison.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Remy’s defence lawyer.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 18^th

NORWICH CITY

LAST SEASON: 11^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Gary Hooper - Celtic (SCO) - 5m, Leroy Fer - FC Twente (HOL) – Undisc, Martin Olsson - Blackburn Rovers – Undisc, Nathan Redmond - Birmingham City - 2m, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel - Sporting (POR) - Undisc

KEY DEPARTURES: Grant Holt - Wigan Athletic - 2m

WHAT'S NEW?

Someone at Carrow Road has won the Euromillions. Norwich have gambled big time on improving in the Premier League. There are risks of course but I think they’ve made an excellent job of it. Flirted with the bottom three last season before pulling away at the end. They’ll be safe by Christmas this year.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Is Europa League football unlikely?

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

The club shop run out of W’s.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Getting their expensive acquisitions to work as hard as the players they’ve joined.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Gary Hooper. Waste of money.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 7^th

SOUTHAMPTON

LAST SEASON: 14th

KEY ARRIVALS: Victor Wanyama - Celtic (SCO) - 12.5m, Dejan Lovren – Lyon (FRA) – 8.5m

KEY DEPARTURES: None.

WHAT'S NEW?

Saints have added quality in the right areas, albeit at massively inflated prices, to an exciting young squad. Though, ironically it was 31 year old Rickie Lambert who this week became their first England cap in 8 years.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

A top 10 finish is with their capability though the league is going to be ultra-competitive this season.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

I still hate the way they treated Nigel Adkins so I’d quiet like to see them struggle.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

A better start than they made last season.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

The interpreter.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 11^th

STOKE CITY

LAST SEASON: 13^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Erik Pieters - PSV Eindhoven (HOL) - 3m, Marc Muniesa - Barcelona (SPA) - Free

KEY DEPARTURES: Rory Delap - Burton Albion - Released

WHAT'S NEW?

Higher unemployment in Stoke. I don’t mean Tony Pulis, I mean those poor fellas who carried towels around the pitch. As much as Tony Pulis’s footballing philosophy made the games originators turn in their grave, he enjoyed great success at Stoke. Dispensing him was a brave move and replacing him with Hughes, who flopped at QPR, is even braver. Hughes hasn’t really made his mark on the squad.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

The towel carriers are re-hired to fan Abi Clancy on warm days.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

They will be sucked into the scrap for survival.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Home form. Best atmosphere in the league at the Britannia.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Cameron Jerome. He’d bet on it.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 16^th

SUNDERLAND

LAST SEASON: 17^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Emanuele Giaccherini - Juventus (ITA) - 6.5m, Jozy Altidore - AZ Alkmaar (HOL) - Undisc.

KEY DEPARTURES: Simon Mignolet - Liverpool - 9m

WHAT'S NEW?

Paulo Di Canio has brought his scouting system from Swindon. It basically involves cracking open the Championship Manager database and searching for players with ability above 150 whose contract is expiring.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

They could do anything this season. The signings are utterly random. In Altidore and Giaccherini they have at least signed a bit of proven quality.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

(R) Sunderland.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Championship Manager’s team of researchers.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Sadly, Vito Mannone.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 19^th

SWANSEA CITY

LAST SEASON: 9^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Jonjo Shelvey - Liverpool - 5m, Jordi Amat - Espanyol (SPA) - 2.5m, Wilfried Bony - Vitesse Arnhem (HOL) - 12m

KEY DEPARTURES: None.

WHAT'S NEW?

Swansea splashing the cash.  Two seasons of Premier League football maintained on a tight budget and the increase in TV revenue have given Michael Laudrup a bit of wiggle room. The obvious big name signing is Bony who a dozen Premier League clubs have looked at and baulked at the asking price. How to top winning a trophy at Wembley is going to be a big question for Laudrup this season.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Improving a place or two in the league and doing well in Europe.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Losing Laudrup.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Coping with the numerous Thursday-Sunday matches scheduled, especially after Euro trips.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Michu. Second season syndrome.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 10^th

 TOTTINGHAM HOTSPURS

LAST SEASON: 5^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Ettiene Capoue – Toulouse – 9.3m, Nacer Chadli - Twente (HOL) - 7m, Paulinho - Corinthians (BRA) - 17m,  Roberto Soldado - Valencia (SPA) - 26m

KEY DEPARTURES: Clint Dempsey - Seattle Sounders (USA) - 6m, Steven Caulker - Cardiff City - 8m, Tom Huddlestone – Hull City – 5.25m.

WHAT'S NEW?

Spurs finishing 5^th, Daniel Levy playing hard ball over transfers, sound business being done at WHL. None of that is new. A striker though. A proper top class striker, that is certainly a revelation. Spurs have spent big on a guy who should score goals by the bucket load. The excellent Paulinho and lively Capoue look great business too.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Is a title challenge too much to ask? Probably, just.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Soldado is crocked. Liverpool have a stormer. Spurs finish 5^th again.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

I’ve avoided mentioning Gareth Bale! Damn, nearly. Anyway – keeping him or selling early enough to replace with quality.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Paulinho. You can never trust a Brazilian.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 4^th

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

LAST SEASON: 8^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Diego Lugano - Paris SG (FRA) – Free, Goran Popov - Dynamo Kiev (UKR) – Loan, Nicolas Anelka - Juventus (ITA) - Released

KEY DEPARTURES: None.

WHAT'S NEW?

WBA have had a quiet summer. Anelka and Lugano, while big names, aren’t signings that have really caused a ripple. They had a settled squad last season, didn’t ever panic when a result went against them and through a combination of shrewd tactics, team spirit and quality throughout, they finished in a fine eighth place.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

8^th again is surely the limit of their capabilities.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Odemwingie holds another circus show on deadline day.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Their discipline, workrate and craft in midfield.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

Anelka. He’ll score goals no doubt but he can be a poisonous influence.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 13^th

WEST HAM UNITED

LAST SEASON: 10^th

KEY ARRIVALS: Andy Carroll - Liverpool - 15.5m, Razvan Rat - Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) – Free, Stewart Downing – Liverpool – 6m

KEY DEPARTURES: Carlton Cole – Released.

WHAT'S NEW?

West Ham have followed up the mildly successful capture of Andy Carroll by signing the man tasked with providing him at Liverpool, Stewart Downing. That combination didn’t do well on Merseyside but it’s right up Sam Allardyce’s street. The ‘ammers did well on their return to the Premier League last season and have enough quality in every area to do well again.

BEST CASE SCENARIO?

Downing and Carroll hit it off and another top 10 finish is secured.

WORST CASE SCENARIO?

Carroll spends another season picking up niggly injuries and Big Sam rues the day he let Carlton Cole go.

KEY TO SUCCESS?

Kevin Nolan most probably. Right place. Right time.

MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?

I think Downing will do well, so Carroll if anyone.

RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 9^th