Hull City are set to ramp up their pursuit of new signings as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.
The Tigers were victorious in the Championship play-off final in May to secure a place in the top flight for the first time since 2017.
The 2026/27 Premier League fixtures released last month did little to curb the excitement with Manchester United up first for Sergej Jakirovic’s side at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, August 22 – live on talkSPORT.
Hull know they have a huge task on their hands in maintaining their Premier League status, however, owner Acun Ilicali is confident his club can ruffle the feathers of the big boys next season.
With six weeks remaining of the summer transfer window, Hull have only managed to bring in goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers.
But fear not Hull supporters, it appears that a summer transfer splurge is on the way.
A busy week ahead
“Think about us like a volcano. It’s boiling right now and it’s going to erupt,” Illicali told talkSPORT.
“At the moment we are preparing a good squad. I’m very, very happy because the targets we have, 80 per cent progress is good.
“We have to make a new team very sensibly I think with ten or 12 players we’re going to bring in. Of course, I cannot pronounce the names!
“I can see that we’re in very good shape. We’re closing deals and three or four new players will come.
“I’m very excited for the Manchester United game.”
One of the names Ilicali is hoping to tie up in the coming days is highly-rated Olympiakos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
4
4
The Greece international is ready to try his hand in the Premier League and Ilicali has kept tabs on the shot-stopper since one particular European performance.
“Yes, we are expecting (to sign for Hull),” Ilicali said.
“He is very talented and an important goalkeeper. He’s very young, 23, and he has the responsibility of a big club like Olympiakos.
“He’s the guy who saved three penalties in the Conference League against Fenerbahce.
“He made us lose our dream of getting the cup but I’m happy that he will probably be together with us.
“I hope in two or three days we can finalise it but in football you never know anything until it’s done.
4
Hull’s transfer strategy explained
Ilicali knows Hull have the opportunity to add ready-made Premier League stars to their squad this summer.
A year ago, the mixture of young hungry talent and experienced Championship stars including Oli McBurnie helped fire them to the promised land.
But 12 months on, Hull have slightly more pulling power. However, Ilicali believes the correct balance will help Hull reach their season objectives.
“You cannot go one way and have all ex-Premier League players or no Premier League players and just new names,” he explained.
“I will bring four or five experienced Premier League players this week.
“Our advantage is that the players can’t play for Manchester United and Chelsea but they are very, very good.
“They can play at Manchester United in the future so what I tell them is instead of waiting, come here (Hull). This is the best club in the world, for me.
“Then if you prove yourself at the top level you will go to Manchester United.
“There’s so many big talents in Europe now and this time we are waiting for the best ones.”
