This summer promises to be a busy one for Hull City, with significant changes expected during pre-season in East Yorkshire. Tim Walter, entering his first pre-season in English football, faces a crucial task in the weeks ahead as he prepares his strongest starting XI for their opening match at the MKM Stadium against Bristol City on August 10th.
Despite the departure of several notable loanees, such as Fabio Carvalho and Liam Delap, who returned to their parent clubs after last season’s seventh-place finish, Hull’s squad, though currently thin, still boasts considerable individual talent. This has attracted interest from Premier League and European clubs alike.
One player in particular drawing attention is Jaden Philogene, who had an impressive debut season at Hull City after joining from Aston Villa last August. Throughout the past ten months, the 22-year-old, who previously had loan spells at Cardiff City and Stoke City, has been linked with moves to clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, thanks to his standout performances in the team’s distinctive black and amber kit.
However, on Tuesday, surprising reports emerged from Spanish news outlet Revelo suggesting that Philogene is now being considered for a potential move to FC Barcelona, one of Spain’s and Europe’s footballing giants.
| Jaden Philogene’s Hull City Championship Stats 2023/24 – per Fbref.com | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stat | Per 90 | ||
| Non-penalty goals | 0.38 | ||
| Non-penalty expected goals (npxG) | 0.24 | ||
| Shots | 3.69 | ||
| Assists | 0.19 | ||
| Expected assists (xAG) | 0.19 | ||
| npxG + xAG | 0.43 | ||
| Shot-creating actions | 4.04 | ||
The report suggests that Jaden Philogene has emerged as a ‘plan B’ for FC Barcelona, who are unable to meet the €58 million price tag for their primary target, Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao. Talks are reportedly underway between Barcelona and Hull City regarding a potential loan-to-buy deal, which would help Barcelona manage their finances under La Liga regulations.
However, any permanent transfer could be complicated depending on Hull City’s performance next season, as Aston Villa retains a £15 million buyback clause that becomes active if Hull City returns to the Premier League. Earlier, Hull City chairman Acun Ilicali had stated the club’s reluctance to sell their prized assets for less than £30 million.
Recently, it was revealed that West Ham United and newly-promoted Southampton have also shown interest in signing Philogene before the new season. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on his ‘Here We Go’ podcast that Ipswich Town, another newly-promoted side, has entered the race for Philogene’s signature, along with their interest in Hull City defender Jacob Greaves.
Romano highlighted Aston Villa’s buyback clause and Kieran McKenna’s interest in the England U21 international. He emphasized that several Premier League clubs, including West Ham and Ipswich Town, have contacted Philogene’s representatives to explore potential deals.
In summary, the potential transfer saga surrounding Jaden Philogene is set to unfold further, especially with Barcelona’s interest in the winger. If Philogene departs Hull City after just one season, the club will aim to secure the highest possible value to support Tim Walter’s rebuilding efforts this summer.
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