Hull City fans must be excited as Acun Ilicali reveals transfer priority, he wants to ‘recover the damage’

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Hull City fans have experienced complete chaos in the transfer windows since Acun Ilicali completed his takeover in January 2022, but that could now change.

The Tigers survived by the skin of their teeth in the Championship last term, needing a final-day draw against Portsmouth to stay up on goal difference.

Acun Ilicali then sacked Ruben Selles, who has since joined Sheffield United, while Hull City appointed Sergej Jakirovic from Turkish side Kayserispor.

Jakirovic becomes the sixth different manager of Ilicali’s tenure and someone the supporters don’t know much about, but they will hope can galvanise a push towards the Championship play-offs.

Hull have already signed four new players at the start of the window, including free agent Semi Ajayi, but the Turkish owner has admitted there’s one big priority.

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Acun Ilicali admits signing a striker is a priority for Hull City

The Tigers came dangerously close to losing their Championship status, and most of their troubles stemmed from their inability to find the net.

Joao Pedro finished as the club’s top scorer with a measly six as Hull scored the fewest goals of any side in the division with 44 in 46 matches.

Pedro has since had his contract terminated, emphasising the need to sign a new centre-forward who is capable of adding a prolific edge to a blunted City attack.

Luckily, Ilicali admits that his ‘first focus’ is to ‘recover the damage’ caused by the striker position, which suggests a move for one could be on the horizon.

“Yes, the striker position is the position that has caused damage in my soul,” Ilicali told Hull Live. “This year, my first focus is to recover that damage. Also, I think our fans have the same damage, and we have to show them how big our passion is for this year by bringing in a good striker, or maybe strikers.”

A striker to play between the lethal duo of Mohamed Belloumi and Liam Millar could skyrocket the Yorkshire outfit into a healthy position in the table.

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Ilicali says how many players Hull need to sign

Hull have been linked with Oli McBurnie as a possible option in the centre-forward role, while Matija Frigan is also on the Tigers’ radar.

Of course, acquiring a lethal finisher is their biggest priority this summer, though City also need to recruit a right-back, left-back, winger and an attacking midfielder to supplement the spine of their squad.

EFL Analysis revealed earlier this summer that Hull City can spend big if they want, with Ilicali suggesting that seven or eight signings will be made.

“Actually, I can say that we have space, but not a big space to make transfers (to ensure the club remain within FFP),” he continued. “I think we have very, very high-quality players in the squad now.

“We will have five loan options, plus four or five transfers, so I expect that seven or eight players will come in this year. I believe that the skeleton of the team is already strong, and with seven or eight newcomers, I think we will have a team that all of our fans will be proud of.”

In previous transfer windows, Hull have brought closer to 15 players through the door, but less is sometimes more. So, with Jakirovic drafting up his list of targets, supporters will hope the club can finally nail a recruitment strategy.