Hull City continue to express an interest in West Bromwich Albion’s Okay Yokuslu and have seen their chances boosted in the last couple of days.
Fresh off of the back of making three substitute appearances at the European Championships, two of those coming in the knockout stages, questions continue to surround the midfielder’s future.
At a club level, Yokuslu had a mightily impressive season, starting 43 Championship matches, including the play-offs, as well as making a further three appearances off of the bench for the Baggies. He’d help what could be considered an overperforming West Brom side to the play-offs and despite losing in the semi-finals to eventual winners Southampton, a number of positives can be taken.
However, due to their performances last term, the Baggies are potentially at risk of losing one or two key players this summer. Yokuslu could well be one of those and with his current contract ending this time next year, if West Brom want to get a fee for him, then now would be a good time to sell, despite him being a significant part of the squad.
The 30-year-old has not been short of potential suitors this summer, with links emerging to the likes of Besiktas, Trabzonspor and fellow Championship side Hull City.
If the Tigers were to poach the midfielder, it would be seen as somewhat of a steal, especially as he is from a direct promotion rival. A fee will obviously be needed to gain his services and currently valued at £2.5 million by Transfermarkt, it could indeed be a good deal of business for Tim Walter’s side.
Their chances of signing the midfielder have also been dealt somewhat of a boost, with Besiktas pulling out of the race for his signature. This was after club president Huseyin Yusel revealed in a pre-season interview that there was “zero” chance of the Turkish giants getting Yokuslu this summer.
Although Hull themselves may not be any closer to making a move, it certainly impacts their chances and may also mean that they are involved in less of a bidding war.
Writer’s View
Hull and West Brom can now be described as direct promotion rivals, the former just missed out on the play-offs last season whilst the latter made them, and they’ll both want to be at the pointy end of things next term.
The potential sale of Yokuslu certainly impacts both sides’ chances of making the top six. Hull’s would obviously improve and even though he’s now 30, the midfielder continues to show his strengths and looks to have a number of years still ahead of him.
As for the Baggies, it would be a loss and they probably don’t want to sell to a direct rival. Nonetheless as they’ll get a fee that will at least soften the blow so that they can improve in other areas.
