Hull City linked with January transfer raid for former Aston Villa forward
The Tigers will have another transfer window of significant change
Hull City have been linked with a move for Reading’s Harvey Knibbs as new boss Ruben Selles looks to solve the Tigers’ ongoing goal problems.
Bottom side City are the joint-lowest scorers in the Championship with just 19 goals from their 21 outings with Chris Bedia and Joao Pedro their top marksmen with just three apiece. Those stats partly highlight why the Tigers are rooted to the foot of the table, and goals haven’t been forthcoming from elsewhere, with injured Xavier Simons the next in line with just two.
Former Aston Villa youngster Knibbs, however, has impressed this season with Reading. He has seven goals and two assists in all competitions for the Royals, with five of those coming in 16 League One appearances, good stats for a player who has spent much of the campaign out wide or in the middle of the park.
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The 25-year-old is capable of operating across the attacking line, either out wide or through the middle. He has been deployed in a more central midfield role at times this season, showing his natural versatility, and why Selles is a keen admirer of the player he depended upon at the SCL Stadium after signing him from Cambridge United.
City being linked with Selles’ former players is perhaps an obvious thing, given their financial plight and the Tigers’ struggles, and Football Insider have done just that, suggesting the Spaniard will go after Knibbs when the window opens next month. Lewis Wing is another Selles would covet at the MKM Stadium.
One possible fly in that particular ointment surrounds the terms of Selles’ exit from Reading earlier this month, which saw him take over at City after the two clubs thrashed out a six-figure compensation package. Under the terms of his exit from the Berkshire club, it was agreed the East Yorkshire outfit would not try and sign players from Reading in the winter window and instead, wait until the summer.
While that was an agreement put in place, Reading’s desire to bring in revenue given their desperate off-field situation means that agreement could be waivered. Hull Live understands if the Tigers lodged a suitable bid for Knibbs, or any of his Royals teammates, which is naturally going to court further uncertainty around the club at a time when things remain uncertain with the Dai family’s controversial ownership.
City have a list of targets for the January window, with club bosses working on making additions as early as possible to give Selles an extra boost early in the New Year.
