Sheffield United and Hull discover their fate as club accept £7m bid for 22-goal striker

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Sergej Jakirovic’s Hull City really hit the jackpot when Oli McBurnie opted for a new Championship challenge despite interest from former employers Sheffield United and Swansea.

Hull were hit with a transfer embargo earlier in the window.

One which means the embattled Tigers will not be allowed to pay a single penny in transfer fees until January 2027, as things stand.

Fortunately, Oli McBurnie became a free-agent when leaving Las Palmas following their relegation from Spain’s top flight. As such, there was nothing in the restrictions preventing Jakirovic snapping up an experienced centre-forward who scored 13 goals in his most recent second-tier campaign.

As confirmed by both Ruben Selles and Alan Sheehan on Friday, McBurnie rejected returns to both Sheffield United and Swansea before putting pen to paper at the MKM Stadium.

Speaking of Sheffield United, the Blades were one of the clubs linked with Red Star Belgrade hitman Cherif Ndiaye this week.

At least Hull have McBurnie in the building. Selles’ Sheffield United have not signed a striker yet this window despite losing both Kieffer Moore and Rhian Brewster, and it appears certain that Ndiaye will not be adding his name to the Blades’ roster any time soon.

Hull City and Sheffield United see Cherif Ndiaye agree Al Jazira transfer

According to reports from Serbian publication Max Sports, scouts representing Hull City and Sheffield United were in attendance as Ndiaye scored from the penalty spot during Red Star Belgrade’s 1-1 draw with Lech Poznan in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League qualifier.

After finishing last season with 22 goals and seven assists across all competitions, the well-travelled Senegal international started as he left off.

But less than 24 hours after the club also known as Crvena Zvezda saw off their Polish opponents 4-2 on aggregate, it appears that Cherif Ndiaye is indeed now packing his bags and heading for the exit.

Mozzart Sport claim that Al Jazira, a club based in the United Arab Emirates, have agreed a fee worth £7 million.

Al Jazira were initially ready to pay more than that. They offered £8.5 million for Ndiaye to leave Red Star immediately. However, the reigning Serbian champions have agreed to accept a lower fee in favour of retaining Ndiaye’s services until the Champions League play-offs come to an end.

Either way, his future appears to lie in Abu Dhabi rather than in West Yorkshire or Humberside. Ndiaye’s new teammates will include one-time Manchester City prospect Karim Rekik and former Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir.

Ruben Selles demands Blades buys as Hull face Abu Kamara exit

Jakirovic should add ex-Man United starlet Brandon Williams to his ranks though, while David Akintola is also expected to join from Turkish side Caykur Rizespor. Akintola’s arrival could help Hull move on from Abu Kamara.

Hull Live claim that Rangers and Birmingham City have made approaches for Kamara.

As for another centre-forward on The Tigers’ radar, Matija Frigan is open to reuniting with ex-Rijeka coach Jakirovic after a 15-goal season in Belgium. However, with a £7.7 million price-tag on his head, a Hull side stuck under an embargo seem powerless to test the will of KVC Westerlo.

Hull are also unlikely to hijack Al Jazira’s Ndiaye deal as long as they are limited to loan deals and McBurnie-like freebies.

Over in Yorkshire, Ruben Selles has not been shy in his desire for new signings. Particularly on the back of that humbling 4-1 opening day defeat at home to Bristol City.

“I will be very disappointed if someone goes out before someone comes in,” a bullish Selles admits. “We can’t allow that to happen anymore.

“Absolutely, [recruitment] is not at the back of my mind. It’s one of the requests [to the board]. You need a mix with players experienced in the division to give a platform for younger prospects to develop.”