Hull City's transfer activity has intensified ahead of next week's deadline, with reports that the club has rekindled its interest in Nice winger Mohamed Ali-Cho and agreed a deal in principle, while it has also been linked with a late move for Stoke City's Sorba Thomas.
Ali-Cho deal back on
According to Hull Live, Hull City have revived their pursuit of Ali-Cho, a 22-year-old winger who can also operate up front. Talks earlier in the window broke down, but owner Acun Ilicali restarted negotiations with the French Ligue 1 club over the weekend. The deal is thought to be worth an initial €13m (£11m), potentially rising to €16m (£13.7m) if certain triggers are met.
Nice had originally sought around £20m for Ali-Cho, and City walked away despite believing they were close to completing the transfer. The French club later returned to the negotiating table, a turn of events described by Hull Live as patience in the transfer market paying off.
Ali-Cho is now due to undergo a medical, with hopes the move could be completed in the next couple of days. Hull Live reports that he is expected to sign a five-year deal, though the medical and paperwork are unlikely to be completed in time for him to feature in Hull's Tuesday trip to Stoke City — unless there are late hitches.
He is described as City's first-choice winger and is expected to fill one of the forward roles the club wanted to address before the window closes next Tuesday at 11pm. Hull Live also notes that City have one other striker target with talks ongoing.
Sorba Thomas link
The Sentinel has reported that Hull City have been linked with an eleventh-hour move for Stoke City's Sorba Thomas. Sky Sports is reporting that Hull have seen a bid rejected, a bid that could rise to £7m. The Sentinel understands that this falls well below Stoke's valuation of the Wales international, who has built a reputation as one of the most influential wingers in the Championship over the last year.
Thomas joined Stoke from Huddersfield in the summer of 2025 for a fee believed to be around £1.5m. He topped the division's assists charts last season. Stoke and Hull had both explored signing him the previous January when he was on loan at Nantes, but the deal was too complicated at that time.
The Sentinel notes that it would take a "monster offer" to bring Stoke to the negotiating table at this stage of the summer, though Hull have shown willingness to spend heavily. The club has reportedly laid out around £90m on new signings, highlighted by a £17m investment in Lucas Herrington, £22m for Nobel Mendy, and £20m for goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Hull have also been linked with interest in Real Betis winger Pablo Garcia and left-sided players Niccolo Fortini and Keito Nakamura. However, Hull Live reports that City have pulled out of a deal for Garcia for now, though that could be rekindled before the window ends.
Two-front transfer push
The reported movements see Hull balancing a second main signing front as well. Hull Live reports that discussions continue with Deportivo La Coruna over Yeremay Hernandez. While the club faces competition, it remains hopeful of striking a deal.
Hull Live also reports that the club is close to confirming an improved contract for manager Sergej Jakirovic. Following promotion to the Premier League, the club has agreed a host of new contracts, including Regan Slater and John Engel.
Both outlets note that Hull City hosts Stoke City on Tuesday at the bet365 Stadium in a second-round Carabao Cup tie. The match comes three days after Hull defeated Manchester United 2-0 in their Premier League opener, with goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy. Jakirovic believes the win "can be a huge catalyst" for the club's incoming transfer plans.