Hull City’s FFP position examined as January transfer window recruitment drive continues
Championship clubs must work within strict financial constraints or risk severe penalties
Like any Championship club, Hull City face a daily battle to remain within the confines of Financial Fair Play (FFP) and ensure they don’t breach the EFL’s strict profit and sustainability rules.
An aggressive transfer policy since Acun Ilicali took charge in January 2022 has seen a host of players come and go from the MKM Stadium, with no shortage of money spent on players like Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, Dogukan Sinik, Ozan Tufan and Jaden Philogene, coupled with some generous salaries.
So far in January, City have spent around £1.5m on goalkeeper Ivor Pandur from Fortuna Sittard while bringing in Billy Sharp on a free transfer and Fabio Carvalho on loan plus Ryan Giles from Luton in a loan-to-buy deal.
They also remain hopeful of concluding the £4m signing of Abdulkadir Omur with the 24-year-old in East Yorkshire ready to complete his move and the club wait to announce Noah Ohio’s temporary move from Standard Liege – that deal is a straight loan with no option to buy.
The Tigers are also primed to recruit a winger before Thursday’s 11pm deadline, with Acun Ilicali keen to bolster Liam Rosenior’s ranks for the second half of the campaign and give his manager the best chance of winning promotion.
One question that is not too far from the lips of City fans surrounds FFP, and how the club are managing their budgets to ensure they don’t fall foul of the strict financial restrictions placed on them and every other Championship club, and the simple answer is, they’re right on the edge.
Acun Ilicali continues to pump in the maximum amount of money he’s allowed to which takes City right onto the cusp of the £13m per season permitted losses, but significant sponsorship deals with the likes of McVities and Corendon Airlines have helped ease the financial pressure, as has the increased attendances at the MKM Stadium and various other increases in revenue.
