Hull City’s interest in Rangers duo Kieran Dowell and Seny Dieng assessed

Hull City’s interest in Rangers attacker Kieran Dowell and goalkeeper Seny Dieng has been addressed by head coach Sergej Jakirovic, who acknowledged the club’s desire to strengthen while also outlining the challenges they face in the transfer market.

City are keen to add reinforcements during the current window, with Dowell identified as a key target to boost their attacking options. Talks are understood to be ongoing with Rangers regarding a potential move for the 28-year-old, who has found himself on the fringes at Ibrox this season.

Dowell, a former Everton academy product who has also played for Nottingham Forest, is believed to be open to returning to England, particularly with his contract in Glasgow set to expire in six months. That situation makes a deal more feasible, and there is optimism that an agreement could be reached sooner rather than later — provided Hull are able to offload players to create room within their squad.

The midfielder’s lack of involvement at Rangers has only added to speculation over his future. Dowell has featured just twice in the Scottish Premiership this campaign, both appearances coming in the opening two matches of the season. Beyond that, his opportunities have been limited to three Europa League outings and a single appearance in the Scottish League Cup, underlining his reduced role north of the border.

Alongside Dowell, Hull are also monitoring the situation of goalkeeper Seny Dieng, who is viewed as an experienced option capable of providing strong competition between the posts. Jakirovic confirmed the club’s interest while stressing that any incoming business depends heavily on departures due to existing restrictions.

“Ivor Pandur is now our number one,” Jakirovic explained. “But Dieng is a good goalkeeper with experience in this league, and that’s very, very important. The main issue is our restrictions — that’s the biggest problem.”

The Hull boss was clear that movement out of the club is essential before any new arrivals can be finalised. While the Tigers have identified their targets, they must first free up squad space.

“Somebody must go so that we can bring someone in — that’s the plan,” Jakirovic said. “We have our list, our wishes, and some players are also calling because they see we’re high up in the table and have a lot of points.”

Several players could potentially depart this month as City look to balance their squad. Cody Drameh and David Akintola are among those who may be moved on, while Brandon Williams is another name linked with an exit, although his current fitness situation complicates matters.

Williams has been sidelined with a calf injury but is gradually returning to training. Jakirovic admitted uncertainty over which player might leave first, suggesting decisions will depend on timing, fitness, and opportunities elsewhere.

“God knows,” he said when asked who could be the next to move. “We will see. He had a calf injury and is now coming back onto the pitch, but if we can make changes, we will make changes.”

Operating under transfer limitations is not unfamiliar territory for Jakirovic. The Hull boss has previously dealt with similar challenges during his time at Turkish side Kayserispor, where he was unable to bring in new signings due to an embargo.

Reflecting on those experiences, Jakirovic struck a light-hearted tone while highlighting how they have shaped his approach to recruitment.

“This seems to be my destiny,” he joked. “It’s my second club where I’ve had an embargo — here and at Kayserispor. I didn’t spend any money there or here, only free players. In Kayseri, we couldn’t bring anyone at all; we just had to work with what we had.”

Despite the restrictions, Jakirovic remains focused on improving the squad in whatever ways are possible. He emphasised that his priority is selecting players who can raise the overall level of the group, even if options are limited.

“I’m trying to choose players who will improve our group,” he said. “We use what is available on the market, and then God helped me.”

Hull’s strong league position has increased their appeal to potential signings, but the club’s ability to act remains tied to player exits. With interest growing in Dowell and Dieng, the coming weeks could prove decisive as City attempt to carefully navigate the market while staying within their constraints.

As the window progresses, Hull supporters will be watching closely to see whether departures materialise and whether the club can turn interest into completed deals that strengthen their push for continued success this season.

Hull City summer signing faces January exit after disappearing from first-team plans

Hull City may be prepared to approve a January departure for Brandon Williams, despite the defender only arriving at the club last summer and barely featuring since then.

According to a report from Hull Live, the Tigers are considering allowing Williams to leave on loan during the winter transfer window as they look to manage squad space and navigate a challenging period in the market.

Hull City head into January operating under continued EFL restrictions, which prevent them from paying transfer fees and require all proposed deals to be cleared by the league. Those limitations mean recruitment must once again be creative, relying heavily on loans and free transfers rather than permanent signings.

Even with those constraints, Hull were inventive during the summer window and managed to add several promising options to their squad. Replicating that success in January will be difficult, however, particularly given how tight the market becomes mid-season. To accommodate any potential arrivals, departures may be necessary, and Williams is now among those who could be moved on temporarily.

Transfer insider Alan Nixon has reported via his Patreon that Hull City are open to sanctioning a loan exit for the former Manchester United full-back. The idea is to free up space within the squad while giving the player a chance to rebuild momentum elsewhere. Although Williams only signed a short-term contract that runs until the end of the current campaign, Hull do hold an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, meaning a loan move would not necessarily signal a permanent exit.

Williams’ spell at the MKM Stadium has been a frustrating one so far. The defender had already endured a difficult period prior to joining Hull, having been without a club for more than a year. After leaving Manchester United at the end of his contract in 2024, following a loan spell at Ipswich Town, he struggled to find a new home and spent an extended period on the sidelines.

A combination of injury setbacks and off-field issues has disrupted his progress in recent seasons, and it has taken time for him to reach full fitness since arriving at Hull City. His only senior appearance for the Tigers came back in August, when he was introduced as a late substitute for a brief five-minute cameo against Blackburn Rovers. Since then, he has not featured in any first-team action.

While Williams has had some involvement at under-21 level, opportunities with the senior squad have been limited. He has been named in just four Championship matchday squads this season and has also had to contend with minor injury problems, which have further stalled his chances of forcing his way into the manager’s plans.

Given the circumstances, a loan move could be the ideal solution for both player and club. Regular football over the second half of the season would allow Williams to regain sharpness, confidence and consistency — all of which have been missing during a stop-start period in his career. For Hull City, it would ease squad congestion and give them greater flexibility during the window, while still retaining control over the defender’s future thanks to the extension option in his contract.

Any decision on whether to activate that clause could then be made in the summer, once Williams has had the chance to prove himself elsewhere and demonstrate that he can stay fit and contribute consistently.

Competition for places has also worked against Williams at Hull. Full-backs have played a crucial role in Sergej Jakirovic’s system, and the established options have delivered strong performances. On the left, Ryan Giles has rediscovered his attacking threat, regularly providing width and creativity. On the opposite flank, club captain Lewie Coyle has remained a dependable presence, contributing both defensively and offensively, with four assists to his name so far this season.

With those two firmly established and trusted by the head coach, opportunities for Williams have been scarce. That reality makes a temporary exit increasingly logical, particularly as Hull look to balance their squad and explore reinforcements within the tight confines of their financial restrictions.

While nothing has been confirmed yet, the coming weeks could prove decisive. For Williams, a January loan may represent a fresh start and a much-needed chance to revive his career. For Hull City, it could be a pragmatic move that helps them navigate another complex transfer window while keeping long-term options open.