Westerlo bosses react to claims Hull City are ‘set to sign’ £7.7m Matija Frigan despite embargo

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It will take more than a transfer embargo, it seems, to halt Hull City’s attempts to bring KVC Westerlo striker Matija Frigan to the Championship this summer.

The Hull faithful are pointing the blame at Acun Ilicali once again, and justifiably so.

The Tigers were placed under a transfer embargo last week, albeit one they intend to appeal. As such, Hull City will be prohibited from spending money on any new players for the remainder of the summer window as things stand.

But that has not stopped the Championship underachievers from chasing the signature of the much-admired Matija Frigan.

It has since emerged that Hull could still sign Croatia Under-21 international Frigan on an initial loan deal. A fee of £7.7 million would be forked over to his Belgian-based employers 18 months down the line, when the embargo has been lifted. Or, perhaps, a little earlier if any appeal is successful.

Yet, as far as Westerlo coach Issame Charai and vice-president Hasan Cetinkaya are concerned, Matija Frigan remains a KVC player for the time being.

Westerlo coach Issame Charai planning to have Hull City target Matija Frigan next season

In pursuit of a new centre-forward following the departure of Joao Pedro, Hull City have been linked with former Sheffield United and Swansea targetman Oli McBurnie too. McBurnie is leaving Las Palmas after a season in Spain.

The Hull Daily Mail reports that, despite interest from old employers Swansea, McBurnie is keen on a move to the MKM Stadium.

Confidence remains high in some quarters, too, regarding their pursuit of Frigan.

BBC reporter James Fletcher claimed, shortly after news of that embargo emerged, that Hull are well placed to sign Matija Frigan thanks to a loophole in those restrictions.

And when Westerlo snapped up Nacho Ferri from Eintracht Frankfurt, it was presumed that this was Frigan’s successor signing on the dotted line.

Not so.

“He wasn’t brought in to fill the void in case Frigan leaves,” vice-president Cetinkaya tells Gazet van Antwerpen. “These two players complement each other.

“Last season, we played with [ex-Leicester, Newcastle and Sporting Lisbon giant Islam] Slimani and Frigan and it went well. Nacho is tall and fast. He will be a big factor in [scaring] opposing defences.”

Issame Charai, the former Rangers assistant and Morocco Under 23 boss, is keen to make the most of Frigan for as long as he can.

“For now, as a coach, I have three good strikers at my disposal. Matija Frigan, Nacho Ferri, and don’t forget Kyan Vaesen,” Charai adds. “This will help the club’s ambition.”

Acun Ilicali committed to Hull as Louie Barry hope remains

Matija Frigan admits that Sunderland tried to sign him during the January transfer window. The Croatian held talks with Bundesliga returnees Hamburg too.

But Hull City, despite their off-field issues, now appear to be the most likely destination for a striker who scored 14 goals last season in Belgium.

Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has also informed EFL Analysis that Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry could still join Hull this summer too, despite rival interest from Sheffield United.

“The club will always have my full backing whenever it needs it,” a bullish Ilicali told concerned supporters in an open letter last week.

I want to reassure our fans that we have zero conflict with any clubs. Perhaps there were some finance administrative errors but I am sure the EFL will be understanding to our appeal and we are confident in our case.

“People are entitled to their opinions and to write a different story, that is life, but I will always be behind our club. Our squad has £100 million potential, we have a very good coach, the best fans and if we are united together we can achieve our dreams.”