Hull City set to sign 16-goal Premier League starlet for £3.5m as owner Acun Illicali lifts lid on deal

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Hull City are poised to complete one of the best second tier signings of the summer transfer window so far.

After guiding Hull City to safety from relegation to League One last season, Hull sacked Ruben Selles in May to end his six-month stint at the MKM Stadium.

Hull replaced Selles with former Kayserispor boss Sergej Jakirovic, which saw one Championship expert stunned by Hull’s appointment of Jakirovic.

The new head coach will be hoping to better his predecessor’s 21st-placed finish during his maiden season in the Championship, and Hull owner Acun Illicali has been busy in the summer transfer window market as a result.

With the window in full swing, Hull are set to sign a Premier League starlet, who they know very well, in what could be one of the signings of the summer window in the Championship.

• READ MORE: Hull City ace is ‘progressing well’ after major injury, his presence will transform Sergej Jakirovic’s side

Hull City set to sign Louie Barry from Aston Villa for a £3.5m fee

After weeks of speculation, Hull are poised to sign Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry, on a permanent deal worth £3.5m, according to Athletic reporter Jacob Tanswell on X.

The report also states that “Villa have inserted a substantial sell-on clause into the fee”, which would see the Premier League giants bank a significant portion of the profits if and when Hull sell Barry.

Hull led the chase for Barry throughout the window and were keen to bring the left-winger back to the MKM Stadium permanently after his ill-fated loan spell last term.

Barry began the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Stockport County in League One, where he shot to EFL prominence after scoring 15 goals and registering two assists in just 23 third tier appearances.

His form saw Barry return to his parent club, Aston Villa, before being loaned out to Hull for the second half of the Championship season.

However, the 22-year-old would make only four appearances before an injury he suffered in the 1-0 win at eventual play-off final winners Sunderland, cut his 2024/25 season short.

Sheffield United were told to sign Barry, after he arrived at Hull last season when current Blades boss Selles was in charge.

Via Hull Live, former Hull boss Selles heaped praise on Barry last season: “He’s always a threat when he has the ball, and hopefully, that performance will transform into assists and goals, and he will be as good as any other in the league… I think he’s a really good player.”

Unfortunately for Selles and any other potential suitors for Barry, the Tigers are poised to complete the £3.5m signing of the former Barcelona prospect.

Hull owner Illicali has shared his verdict on the deal and lifted the lid on the upper hand he employed to win the race for Barry’s signature.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles makes ‘surprised’ claim as he lifts the lid on Hull City sacking

Hull City owner Acun Illicali shares verdict on Louie Barry signing

Hull can “spend big” again this summer, and having now officially signed Gustavo Puerta from Bayer Leverkusen permanently after his loan spell, the club has continued spending in the summer window with the sizeable £3.5m Barry fee.

The Tigers had the upper hand in courting Barry’s signature because Hull owner Illicali has a good relationship with Aston Villa.

Birmingham City were linked with Barry in this window, but that key advantage in the boardroom was crucial to helping Hull bring the Englishman back to the MKM Stadium.

With the arrival of Barry imminent, Hull owner Illicali has lifted the lid on his transfer from Aston Villa.

Illicali told Hull Live: “We are almost somewhere I can say, but you can never say transfers are done before they are finished.

“I like Louie Barry; he likes us. We had a good conversation with him three days ago. I’m personally involved in this transfer because of my relationship with Monchi (head of football operations at Villa) and Mr Sawiris (Villa owner).

“Aston Villa’s and our benefits have to match somewhere to make both clubs happy. Transfers shouldn’t be like ‘I’m going to get this boy whatever (is the cost)’.

“First, you have to make everything benefit the club. Of course, Aston Villa have to be happy so that they can give us their player.”

The 2025/26 Championship season could be the best yet, and after Hull flirted heavily with relegation last season, the Tigers are in desperate need of quality reinforcements for Jakirovic’s debut campaign in charge.

Capturing one of the EFL’s best young attacking prospects, on a permanent basis, could prove to be one of the signings of the summer given Barry’s goalscoring record and potential to develop even further.

Barry himself will have the bit between his teeth for the Tigers next term, after his loan was cut short thanks to his enforced spell on the sidelines.