Hull City’s German midfielder, Marvin Mehlem, is on the verge of leaving the MKM Stadium, with talks underway for a loan move to Bundesliga.2 side Paderborn.
The deal, which is expected to be finalised within days, marks the first transfer activity under the guidance of new Tigers head coach, Ruben Selles.
Struggles Under Selles Lead to Imminent Exit
Signed in the summer by former head coach Tim Walter from Darmstadt 98, Mehlem has struggled to secure regular playing time since Selles took over. Despite making 17 appearances for the club this season, the midfielder has only featured sparingly in recent weeks, logging just 56 minutes across six matches since mid-December. Mehlem was notably absent from Hull’s New Year’s Day defeat to Middlesbrough as transfer negotiations progressed.
“I gave permission for him to travel to Germany to go and close some details for his loan to a team in Germany,” Selles said. “His loan move is not ready yet, but it should be in the coming hours or days, and it is one of the things we are looking at. We should be able to replace him with another player who can come and help us and make us more competitive.”
Mehlem’s imminent departure provides Hull City with an opportunity to free up squad space and reallocate resources for new signings. The transfer window, which closes at 11pm on February 3, is expected to be a busy one for the Tigers, with the team keen to bolster their squad for the remainder of the Championship campaign. The looming need for a more consistent midfield presence has become apparent as the team faces a challenging run of fixtures.
Mehlem’s loan will see him return to his native Germany, where Paderborn currently sit sixth in the Bundesliga.2 table. The midfielder will hope to find more consistent playing time there as Hull City reshuffle their squad to better fit Selles’ vision. Hull fans, meanwhile, will be eager to see who the club brings in as a replacement.
Writer’s View
Mehlem’s departure signals a clear shift in Hull City’s strategy under Ruben Selles. While the German midfielder showed glimpses of promise, his struggles to adapt to Selles’ system highlight the necessity of building a squad tailored to the coach’s tactics. The Tigers must act swiftly in the January window to secure reinforcements, ensuring they remain competitive in a challenging Championship season. Mehlem, meanwhile, has a chance to revitalise his career back in Germany, where a more familiar environment could reignite his form and confidence.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
