Hull City is considering a prolific scoring midfielder for their summer transfer shortlist.

Hull City are reportedly keeping a close eye on highly rated midfielder Anto Sekongo as they prepare for what is expected to be a significant summer of recruitment ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic will be looking to add to his squad(Image: Lee Keuneke/PA Wire)

Following their successful return to the Premier League, the Tigers are actively exploring potential additions that could strengthen their squad for the challenges of top-flight football. One player believed to be attracting serious attention from the club is USL Dunkerque midfielder Anto Sekongo, whose impressive performances in France have made him one of the most sought-after young talents on the market.

According to reports, Hull City scouts monitored the Malian midfielder on multiple occasions throughout the previous season, and his name has subsequently been added to the club’s shortlist of transfer targets.

Hull City Continue Planning for Premier League Return

After securing promotion, Hull City face an important summer as they seek to build a squad capable of competing in the Premier League.

The jump in quality between the Championship and England’s top division means recruitment will be crucial if the Tigers are to establish themselves and avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

Club officials are expected to be active in the transfer market, targeting players who can both improve the current squad and offer long-term value. As a result, the scouting department has spent considerable time identifying emerging talents across Europe.

One of the names that has reportedly stood out during that process is Anto Sekongo.

At just 21 years of age, the midfielder has developed a reputation as one of the brightest young prospects currently playing in French football. His performances for Dunkerque have attracted attention from numerous clubs, and Hull City appear eager to join the race for his signature.

Extensive Scouting Leads to Transfer Interest

Reports suggest that Hull City’s interest is not based on a brief assessment or isolated performances.

Instead, scouts are believed to have watched Sekongo on several occasions during the previous campaign, allowing the club to build a detailed profile of the midfielder’s strengths and potential.

Those scouting missions reportedly left a positive impression, resulting in Sekongo being placed on Hull City’s transfer shortlist.

The club is thought to admire his technical quality, attacking contribution, versatility, and ability to influence games from central midfield.

His combination of youth and experience is also considered appealing.

Despite being only 21 years old, Sekongo has already accumulated significant first-team experience in French football and has demonstrated an ability to perform consistently at a competitive level.

That profile aligns with Hull City’s apparent strategy of identifying talented players before they reach their full market value.

Strong Competition for His Signature

While Hull City have shown interest, securing Sekongo’s services is unlikely to be straightforward.

The midfielder has attracted attention from a number of clubs across Europe, creating what could become a highly competitive transfer battle.

Several well-established French teams are reportedly monitoring his situation, including Lille OSC, Toulouse FC, FC Lorient, and Stade Rennais.

Each of those clubs possesses a strong reputation for developing young talent, making them attractive destinations for promising players.

Interest is not limited to France, however.

Turkish side Samsunspor are also believed to be following Sekongo’s progress closely, while Premier League newcomers Hull City could face domestic competition from Leeds United.

With multiple clubs monitoring the player, any transfer negotiations may become increasingly complex as the summer progresses.

Ownership Links Add Intrigue

An interesting dimension to the story involves the ownership structure surrounding Sekongo’s current club.

Businessman Robert Yuksel Yıldırım, through the Amissos Group, has ownership interests in both Dunkerque and Samsunspor.

That connection naturally raises questions regarding potential transfer pathways and whether Samsunspor could possess an advantage in negotiations.

However, reports indicate that Hull City’s interest remains genuine despite those circumstances.

The Tigers are said to have continued tracking Sekongo closely and remain interested in exploring a potential deal should the opportunity arise.

For now, there is no indication that ownership links will prevent other clubs from entering the race.

Journey From Mali to French Football

Sekongo’s rise has been impressive.

The midfielder first began attracting attention while playing for Afrique Football Elite, an academy renowned for producing talented players in Mali.

His performances quickly caught the eye of French club Stade de Reims, who identified his potential and brought him into their system.

The move represented a significant step forward in his development and provided him with an opportunity to test himself in a more competitive environment.

Rather than being overwhelmed by the challenge, Sekongo adapted quickly and demonstrated the qualities that had made him such a highly regarded prospect.

His progress through the ranks suggested that he possessed the technical ability and maturity needed to succeed at a higher level.

Goal-Scoring Midfielder Makes Immediate Impact

One aspect of Sekongo’s game that immediately stood out was his ability to contribute goals from midfield.

During his time with Reims’ reserve setup in the French third tier, he delivered an impressive return in front of goal.

The young midfielder scored 14 goals in just 21 appearances, an exceptional tally for a central player.

Those numbers helped elevate his reputation and convinced many observers that he possessed the attacking instincts needed to become a complete midfielder.

Finding players who can influence matches both creatively and statistically is increasingly valuable in modern football.

Sekongo’s goal-scoring record suggested he had the potential to become exactly that type of player.

Successful Move to Dunkerque

In the summer of 2024, Sekongo completed a transfer to USL Dunkerque.

The move offered him the opportunity to play regularly in Ligue 2 and continue his development at senior level.

Dunkerque showed faith in the midfielder by handing him a two-year contract, and he quickly rewarded that trust with consistent performances.

Although the original agreement is approaching its conclusion, the club reportedly retains an option to extend the deal.

That contractual situation gives Dunkerque some flexibility as interest from other clubs continues to grow.

Any team hoping to sign Sekongo may therefore need to negotiate carefully should Dunkerque decide to activate their extension clause.

Establishing Himself in Ligue 2

Since arriving at Dunkerque, Sekongo has continued to build on his promising reputation.

He has accumulated 68 appearances for the club, demonstrating both durability and consistency across multiple campaigns.

For a player still in the early stages of his professional career, that level of experience is particularly valuable.

Coaches have increasingly relied upon him as an important figure in midfield, and he has responded by producing mature performances against experienced opposition.

His ability to handle the physical and tactical demands of Ligue 2 has further strengthened the belief that he is capable of succeeding at an even higher level.

Those performances explain why clubs from multiple countries are now following his progress.

Outstanding Numbers Last Season

Perhaps the strongest argument for pursuing Sekongo comes from his productivity during the most recent campaign.

Operating primarily in central midfield, he contributed both goals and assists on a regular basis.

Across 34 league appearances, the Malian international registered nine goals and six assists.

That return of 15 direct goal contributions is particularly impressive given his position on the pitch.

Rather than functioning purely as a defensive midfielder, Sekongo demonstrated an ability to influence matches in the final third while still contributing to the team’s overall structure.

Those statistics have played a major role in attracting interest from clubs seeking midfielders capable of impacting games offensively.

Why Hull City Are Interested

Hull City’s reported interest becomes easier to understand when examining Sekongo’s profile.

He combines youth, experience, athleticism, technical ability, and proven production in one package.

His versatility allows him to operate in multiple midfield roles, while his attacking output provides an additional dimension that many clubs covet.

For a team preparing for Premier League football, adding players with room for further development can be a smart long-term strategy.

Sekongo appears to fit that model perfectly.

At 21, he still has significant potential for improvement, yet he has already demonstrated enough quality to attract attention from clubs across Europe.

Transfer Battle Could Intensify

As the transfer window approaches, speculation surrounding Sekongo is likely to increase.

Hull City may have identified him as a target, but they are far from alone in their admiration.

Interest from France, Turkey, and England suggests that competition for his signature could become intense.

Whether the Tigers ultimately pursue a formal offer remains to be seen, but their continued monitoring indicates that Sekongo is firmly on the club’s radar.

For now, the midfielder remains a Dunkerque player, but his impressive rise and strong performances mean he could become one of the most talked-about young midfielders on the transfer market this summer.

With Premier League football awaiting Hull City, securing talents of Sekongo’s calibre could play a key role in shaping the club’s future ambitions.