Hull City are set for a busy transfer window ahead with a number of players potentially heading for the exit door, including Jaden Philogene, according to the latest reports.
Philogene settled into life in East Yorkshire tremendously following his £5 million move from Premier League side Aston Villa last season. In his debut campaign with the Tigers, the winger bagged 12 goals and recorded six assists in 32 matches, ending the season as the club’s top goalscorer.
As a result, the forward has garnered interest from several clubs in England’s top-flight and even abroad. It was reported last month that European giants Barcelona had registered interest in the 22-year-old after his superb displays at the MKM Stadium. However, due to the club’s current financial situation, La Blaugrana were keen to sign the attacker on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy him at the end of the campaign depending on the minutes he would receive.
Now, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has cast this deal with the Catalan club into doubt, claiming that a transfer with Barcelona looks “complicated” as Philogene is prioritising remaining in England, with a whole host of Premier League clubs battling it out for his signature. Furthermore, the renowned Italian journalist has reported that Crystal Palace, Everton and newly-promoted Ipswich Town have all submitted proposals to the attacker.
Speaking in a recent interview with talkSPORT, Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has revealed that the interest in Philogene is real and that he would be open to selling the star player this summer if he is keen to leave the club [quotes via GOAL]:
Jaden, that is 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 🤯#hcafc | @McVities pic.twitter.com/tjo5RipQtG
— Hull City (@HullCity) February 13, 2024
“For me, one player change is not the end of the world. But my players, I would never want to rein in their careers or their moves because of a contract I have.
“So in that case, if Jaden wants to move and he says he wants to go somewhere, this is something we cannot do too much about because this is his life. I love all my boys, I am responsible for their careers. So they don’t need to play with us if they don’t want to play with us.”
Writer’s View
It was certainly surprising to hear that Barcelona really were keen to sign Philogene this summer as, when the report first emerged, it seemed like paper talk or perhaps even rumours put into the press by a player’s representative to create interest.
Nevertheless, losing the player over the coming weeks and not receiving the money until next year, as Barcelona would prefer, is not the most appealing proposition for Hull City right now, hence why a sale to the Premier League is likelier.
