Hull City owner Ilicali hits back at 'false' transfer rejection claims

Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has publicly pushed back against what he calls “false” reports that the club has been turned down by transfer targets, taking the unusual step of posting a detailed update on their summer business. The Tigers are back in the Premier League after a nine-year absence, having won the Championship play-off final in May. So far, they have secured goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers, midfielder Oscar Zambrano from Maribor, and left-back Matt Targett after his Newcastle United exit. But Ilicali was clearly frustrated by the narrative emerging in the media. “We are reading dozens of false transfer rumors in many places,” he wrote on social media. “We are disturbed by the claims that we have been rejected and by the use of our club's name to gain attention.” Without naming specific reports, Ilicali then listed the three completed signings with tick marks, followed by a numbered list from four to eleven. Next to each number he placed a national flag and a percentage, hinting at how close Hull are to landing players from those countries. Japan was listed at 99% — and broadcaster Radio Humberside sports editor Mike White has confirmed the Tigers have agreed a deal for free-agent midfielder Hidemasa Morita. Greece and Sweden were both marked at 90%, while Australia, Croatia and Portugal were at 80%. Manager Sergej Jakirovic had already revealed earlier this month that Hull were close to signing Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. Ilicali recently confirmed the club took out a £55m bridging loan to strengthen their financial position and push through deals. “We have been working intensively for two months,” Ilicali added. “I believe we will build a team that we will all be proud of.”