Hull City have accepted bids from Premier League sides Everton and Crystal Palace for winger Jaden Philogene, according to HITC.
Top-flight newcomers Ipswich Town have also had a bid approved for the 22-year-old who looks set to leave the MKM Stadium this summer.
Philogene is also on the radar of a host of other Premier League clubs, as well as Spanish giants Barcelona after a bright campaign for the Tigers.
The Aston Villa academy graduate scored 12 times and assisted six more in 32 appearances as Hull narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, which saw the club sack manager Liam Rosenior.
New boss Tim Walter faces a fight on his hands to keep Philogene during a transfer window where Hull look likely to have to sell key players after spending heavily in recent seasons. Midfielder Ozan Tufan has already returned to his homeland with Turkish side Trabzonspor, and defender Jacob Greaves is being linked with a move to the Premier League alongside Philogene.
Financial rules may mean Philogene is next out the door in East Yorkshire, and owner Acun Ilicali has said sales might be needed to improve the club going forward.
He told talkSPORT, “My idea in football is not to make money. My idea is to make a strong and bigger club.
“But to make a bigger club, sometimes if a player says I want to go, that’s a different case. For me, if one player changes, it’s not the end of the road.”
With Hull looking to build on last campaign under a new manager, a different direction may be needed from the club’s hierarchy. But money is tight, so while losing Philogene may be painful, it may be what the club needs.
Writer’s View
As hard as it may be to take for Hull fans, this deal may suit everyone. Philogene clearly has Premier League quality so teams being in for him is not a surprise, and he’d likely be keen on a move.
From a financial point of view for the club, selling him may be the only option for them to rebuild ahead of the new season and get a replacement in under tight financial pressure. If Philogene goes it will sting for a while, but the club will be richer for it in the future.
