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Hull City are attempting to avoid being hit with a six-point deduction in the Premier League with their owner admitting they must sell players to ensure they do not breach financial rules.
The Tigers must sell players before the end of the month to avoid punishment after overspending in their profit and sustainability (PSR) calculation.
Owner Acun Ilicali admitted that Hull will have to part way with some players but insisted it was a ‘manageable’ situation.
‘We have overspent and we have to sell some players before 1 July,’ Ilicali said this month. ‘I’m not afraid, we have managed harder things. For us, this is more manageable. Now we are a Premier League team, the values (of our players) have risen.’
Under English Football League rules, clubs are allowed to lose £39million over a three-season period.
It is understood Hull are set to pay out around £12million in player bonuses after their 1-0 play-off final victory over Middlesbrough, though as that does not need to be paid until August, it is expected to count towards the calculations for the next financial year.
Millwall have bid £5million for forward Kyle Joseph, which would cover most of the shortfall, but he has not agreed to depart and will not be fit for a few weeks in any case, which would complicate a medical.
Hull City must sell players before the end fof the month or they risk a points deduction in the Premier League
Naturally, Hull would look to upgrade their squad and that would entail some departures as well as incomings.
They will take heart by how Sunderland defied the odds as play-off winners to qualify for the Europa League in their first season back in the Premier League last campaign.
The financial year for most clubs typically end on June 30, so if Hull raise enough cash by then, they would not need to worry so much. The Premier League’s rules permit a £105m loss over a three-year period.
Manager Sergej Jakirovic has already proven that he can get Hull to punch above their weight – few tipped them to even challenge for the play-offs last season.
All the same, the Yorkshire club feel a squad upgrade is needed and are looking at various signings.
They have already opened talks for Sporting Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
The Premier League new boys want two goalkeepers for their return to the top flight and are understood to have offered £12.5m plus add-ons for the 6ft 6ins Czech Republic international who is part of his country’s World Cup squad.
They have also enquired about Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who has been on the radar of Newcastle and Tottenham.
