Hull City Owner Addresses Transfer Rumors with Unusual Clues

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has said he is "disturbed" by claims of the club being rejected by transfer targets and, in an unusual move, attempted to clarify the situation.

The Tigers are returning to the Premier League after a nine-year absence following their victory in the Championship play-off final in May.

So far, they have signed keeper Jack Butland from Rangers, midfielder Oscar Zambrano from Maribor and defender Matt Targett following his exit from Newcastle United as they prepare for the 2026-27 top-flight campaign.

"We are reading dozens of false transfer rumors in many places," wrote Ilicali in a social media post., external

"We are disturbed by the claims that we have been rejected and by the use of our club's name to gain attention.

"We have been working intensively for two months. I believe we will build a team that we will all be proud of."

Ilicali, who did not mention the reports he was referring to, added: "To prevent false speculation and to give you more information, I am leaving you with our latest transfer situation, which includes some clues..."

In the rest of his message, Ilicali numerically listed Butland, Zambrano and Targett with ticks next to their name.

He went on to put numbers from four to 11 with the flags of countries and percentages next to them as he suggested how close Hull were to signing players of those nations.

At number four he posted the Japan flag with 99%, and BBC Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White has reported that the Tigers have agreed a deal to sign free agent midfielder Hidemasa Morita.

Among the others, flags of Greece and Sweden had 90% next to them, while those of Australia, Croatia and Portugal were accompanied by 80%.

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic stated earlier this month that the Tigers were close to completing a deal for Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.