Hull City’s reported pursuit of Franjo Ivanovic has taken another twist. Now, fresh news from Portugal offers a different picture of where the deal currently stands.
Just yesterday we covered claims that the Premier League newcomers had already submitted an offer for the Benfica striker. Now, Portuguese outlet A Bola now reports that neither Hull City nor Como have formally made their move yet.
The newspaper states both clubs remain interested in the 22-year-old and are assessing whether to step up their chase. However, it insists no official proposal has reached Benfica.
That of course paints a different picture of events from Wednesday’s reporting. Seems like the situation is still developing behind the scenes.
Benfica preference becomes clear
While there is uncertainty over how advanced Hull City’s interest is, A Bola adds a new detail regarding Benfica’s plans for Ivanovic.
The Lisbon club would ideally prefer a permanent transfer… Even if they signed the striker for €22.8m (£19.8m) from Union Saint-Gilloise just last summer. However, the report explains that an initial loan with an option to buy is currently viewed as the more likely outcome.
That could prove significant for Hull City if Benfica soften their stance later in the window, particularly after Jhon Durán’s arrival further reduced Ivanovic’s chances of regular football.
Exit expected, but no immediate move
Despite being expected to leave Benfica this summer, Franjo Ivanovic remains fully involved with the first-team squad.
The Croatia international trained with the group on Wednesday before travelling to Switzerland for Benfica’s Europa League qualifier against St. Gallen. This indicates there has been no immediate breakthrough in negotiations with any interested club.
According to A Bola, Hull City remain one of the clubs monitoring the situation closely. However, the latest report suggests the transfer has not yet reached the formal stage, even if Benfica are already planning for Ivanovic’s departure before the window closes.
