The Tigers have so far operated on a cool and calm basis in the transfer market this summer

Hull City’s third signing of the summer was finally confirmed on Thursday morning when left-back Ruben Vinagre penned a season-long loan move from Sporting Lisbon.

Vinagre’s arrival has been a long time coming with City having to wait a lengthy amount of time before making the announcement due to a number of factors, including waiting on international clearance and coordinating the 10am reveal with their Portuguese counterparts in Lisbon.

 

The 24-year-old was City’s outstanding choice to fill the left-back void left when Callum Elder left at the end of last season and moved to Derby County in League One, and joins Liam Delap and Jason Lokilo in moving to the MKM Stadium this summer.

Compared with 12 months ago, City’s transfer activity has been much more modest as they look to recover from a heavy period of spending in the transfer window which saw 16 players arrive during Shota Arveladze’s tenure – this has been an altogether more strategic approach and will continue to be so.

READ MORE: ‘That’s the calibre’ – Liam Rosenior hails Hull City’s Ruben Vinagre signing

Rosenior, though, remains active in the window and still has key areas he wants to improve. Aaron Connolly’s move from Brighton and Hove Albion continues to progress and barring any unforeseen drama, he will return to the club to complete the forward ranks while a goalkeeper remains a key priority.

 

Mark Travers is understood to remain a live target, though the Tigers face competition from other potential suitors for his signature, but Rosenior is relaxed about the position given in Matt Ingram, he has one of the Championship’s most reliable goalkeepers and perhaps in the eyes of some supporters, one of the most underrated.

A defensive arrival could not yet be ruled out following Tobias Figueiredo’s departure, though the performances of Andy Smith so far this summer have certainly helped his cause and possibly quelled the need for another signing.

Vinagre coming in at left-back coupled with his comments on Brandon Fleming suggest Jacob Greaves will revert to his more familiar central defensive role this season, and faces an intriguing battle with Sean McLoughlin and Alfie Jones.

Fleming’s future must at best be considered uncertain given he spent the season half of last season on loan in League One with Oxford United, and the vastly experienced George Cox is on trial, and with a strong pedigree behind him, looks an impressive ‘freebie’ should that deal be completed.

On the flanks, Jason Lokilo’s arrival has added to the competition for Ryan Longman and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh but it’s believed the club remain keen on bringing in one more and that target remains at a Premier League outfit.

Djeidi Gassama was a name linked in the French press on Thursday, but the 19-year-old PSG man is not believed to be a player currently on the agenda.

Finally, the number 10 role is still an area of deep mystique and intrigue, with City remaining hopeful of landing their number one target sooner rather than later, though patience is the word that continues to come from the top.

City are also keen to keep a couple of positions open should one or two things open up as time wears on and are even prepared to go late into the window, once Premier League clubs have finalised their squads and potential opportunities arise.

The huge caveat to any new arrivals and those we expect to come in surrounds departures. Six weeks remain of the window, and City’s resolve is likely to be tested for some of their prized assets.

Bids for Jacob Greaves, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and Oscar Estupinan are expected, while the club will likely listen to offers for other members of their squad, should the deals be right for the club and player, thus potentially seeing Rosenior need to add further cover to his squad.