Hull City owner Acun Ilıcalı confronts false transfer rumors with player progress list

Hull City chairman Acun Ilıcalı used his X account to denounce a wave of false transfer rumours circulating during the summer window. In a message to fans he said the club had been “disturbed” by claims that players were rejecting Hull and that the club’s name was being misused. To counter speculation, Ilıcalı posted a list of potential signings, attaching a percentage to each indicating how close the deal was.

He confirmed that goalkeeper Jack Butland, forward Oscar Zambrano and defender Matt Targett have been signed, and said negotiations are well‑advanced for Olympiacos goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita (99% probability). Further targets include players from Greece (90%), Sweden (90%), Australia (80%), Portugal (80%), Croatia (80%) and other nations, each shown with a flag and progress figure.

Ilıcalı added that the club is working intensively to assemble a squad capable of competing in the Premier League after its promotion. A separate report mentioned a possible strategic partnership discussion between Hull City and Belgian club KVC Westerlo, though no formal agreement has been announced.