Championship side Hull City are reportedly keen on a deal for former Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The Slovakian stopper’s wages could prove a stumbling block though, with Nixon reporting that the player may have to reduce his demands for the Tigers to pursue a deal. Hull are operating under strict financial limits this summer after a few years of heavy spending since owner Acun Ilicali took over, so may not have the financial power of other clubs chasing the player.
The Yorkshire outfit are in need of a man between the sticks after Ryan Allsop left the club to join ambitious League One side Birmingham City, with Hull’s other senior keeper Ivor Pandur yet to play for the club. A move for an established name in Rodak may therefore be needed going into the new season.
Second-tier rivals Burnley, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County are also rumoured to be interested in the 27-year-old, but they too have been put off by the player’s demands. Nixon reports that the former could still go in for the Slovak should England under-21 goalkeeper James Trafford leave Turf Moor.
Rodak, who has 22 caps for his national team, is a familiar name across the EFL. He started his career in his native country before switching to Fulham aged just 17, playing 93 times at Craven Cottage and conceding just 91 goals, having also had loan spells at Rotherham United and Accrington Stanley.
Game time has been hard to come by for Rodak in recent years though, having been relegated to second choice behind Bernd Leno in the Premier League, but being a safe pair of hands in the Championship. It’s this lack of game time that led him to leave the club, and a drop down a division now seems inevitable.
It’s been a summer of upheaval at the MKM Stadium, and a move for Rodak would go a long way to improving confidence at Hull ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. Key players such as Ozan Tufan, Jaden Philogene and Jacob Greaves have all left the club as they look to raise funds, and only one senior player has signed in Ryan Giles.
Should new manager Tim Walter want to build on last season’s 7th place finish more incomings look to be needed, and signing Rodak could be the move that is needed most.
Writer’s View
Hull desperately need some new additions with the season just weeks away, and goalkeeper looks to be a problem position after Ryan Allsop’s departure. It’s clear they won’t have the firepower of last season, but Rodak would add some quality to the squad as well as experience in the Championship.
Financial restraints do seem to be an issue; Hull look simply unable to afford to make many reinforcements. The club would be a good move for Rodak as he enters the peak of his career, and the severity of the situation in East Yorkshire means he would be highly valued should he move.
