Acun Ilicali will be fuming over EFL decision after Hull City agreed contract with 111-goal target

Add as preferred source on Google

Chaos has followed Hull City since Acun Ilicali took over the club in January 2022, with their problems approaching boiling point this summer.

Hull’s plans in the transfer window were dashed after it was revealed the Tigers are unable to pay transfer or loan fees for the next three windows.

The situation has plunged City into deep trouble, as Sergej Jakirovic needed reinforcements for his squad in multiple positions, including at left-back, central midfield, on the wing and at striker.

Unfortunately, financial problems have prompted Hull to pause their recruitment during their pre-season trip to Turkey, which saw Jonjo Shelvey feature in a friendly against Istanbulspor.

More worryingly, the Tigers have lost out on one of their striker targets after the EFL made a decision that will annoy owner Acun Ilicali.

• READ MORE: Phil Brown says how he was able to sign Hull City fan favourite from Manchester City

The EFL reject Hull City’s Oli McBurnie move after contract agreed

Hull City emerged as a potential suitor for Oli McBurnie this summer, who is ready to return to England after leaving Las Palmas as a free agent.

The former Sheffield United striker, who has 111 career goals to his name, would have been a solid option in an attack that is currently depleted following Joao Pedro’s exit.

Hull were confident of landing McBurnie, even with the transfer restrictions in place, and journalist Baz Cooper revealed that City were willing to match the Scotsman’s hefty salary demands.

“McBurnie, I mean, his salary demands,” Cooper said on the 1904 podcast. “I don’t want to criticise the player because he’s obviously got a value on what he believes is his worth, given the fact he was playing the Premier League, then he’s been playing in La Liga. So, Oli McBurnie has got a value on what he thinks his salary is worth. And City at one point were prepared to pay that.”

However, Cooper stated that the EFL rejected Hull’s proposal for the striker amid concerns over the finances under Ilicali.

“The EFL have said, no, you’re not paying that,” he said. “So it could be a situation where the EFL say, right, you can sign players, but there’s a salary cap, for example. And I’m just making figures up here, so I don’t want people to quote me on this as the gospel.”

• READ MORE: How Sheffield Wednesday players feel about the man expected to replace Danny Rohl in 25/26

Hull not signing McBurnie is a blessing in disguise

Although McBurnie is a proven Championship striker, and arguably someone who could fire the Tigers away from relegation, there is a key reason why the EFL have stepped in and stopped Ilicali from offering out more big contracts.

“But what the EFL are trying to do here is protect Hull City moving forward,” Cooper added. “They don’t want Hull City to go out and spend 15 million pounds on players and give 40,000 pound a week contracts out with this massive concern that they can’t afford to.

“That isn’t sustainable, and the club can’t afford to pay it. So, yeah, Acun will say, I can afford to pay it.”

Ilicali has been criticised for overspending on the club’s wage bill, overseeing a 218% rise in the three years he’s owned the club.

Indeed, capturing McBurnie would have made the situation a whole lot worse, with the EFL arguably doing the right thing by intervening.