Hull City have smashed their transfer record to take Abel Hernandez, the Uruguay international, for a fee of £9.5million.
The Tigers had been in the market for a new striker since allowing Shane Long to join Southampton last month, but had been frustrated in their pursuit of Jordan Rhodes. It is believed last season’s FA Cup finalists made at least two bids for the Scotland international, but Blackburn Rovers refused to entertain the idea of letting him go.
Steve Bruce had then been linked with Danny Welbeck, but with competition for the Manchester United frontman including the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, he accepted his chances of landing the 23-year-old would be slim. So he has instead turned his attention to Hernandez, who he has been able to lure to the KC Stadium.
The Hull manager has paid £9.5million for the 24-year-old, who will arrive in England with a fine reputation. Hernandez has scored seven times in 14 international caps for his country, and at club level, he has scored 31 goals in 111 appearances for Palermo, including 14 last season when the Rosanero secured a return to Serie A by winning the second-tier.
Meanwhile, Bruce may not yet be finished in the summer market. It has been reported that a fee of £3.5million has been agreed with West Ham United for their midfielder Mohamed Diame, who is undergoing a medical and discussing personal terms at Hull’s training ground. George Boyd, on the other hand, will no longer feature for the Tigers, after he completed a transfer – believed to be of £3million – to top-flight rivals Burnley.
Hull fans, are you pleased with Hernandez? In fact, do you think this is a more impressive signing than Rhodes would have been? Why not have your say by joining in the discussion below!
