Tigers close in on deals
Hull are hoping to complete the signings of Wigan’s Kevin Kilbane and Luis Boa Morte of West Ham before the end of the week.
Manager Phil Brown revealed this morning the club have agreed a fee with West Ham for Boa Morte and were hoping to reach a similar agreement with Wigan and speak to both midfielders.
Brown is keen to strengthen his squad after a run of just one win in 12 games and would like new players in place before Saturday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Brown, whose side face Newcastle in an FA Cup third-round replay tomorrow, said:“We have made progress, things are ongoing.
“The clubs have agreed terms on Luis Boa Morte and we are trying to agree terms on Kevin Kilbane, on a personal front as well.
“They can’t play any part in the Newcastle game but hopefully by Thursday or Friday they will bear some fruit.
“We said at the start of the season we wanted to flood the place with Premier League quality and both those players have it in abundance. To get that quality of player in to Hull City would be great for the football club.”
Both Boa Morte and Kilbane would offer balance on the left of Hull’s midfield.
Injuries to Andy Dawson and Anthony Gardner have left fringe player Peter Halmosi as the club’s only recognised left-footer in recent months.
Former Portugal international Boa Morte, 31, has struggled to earn a regular starting slot at Upton Park since a £5m (€5.5m) move from Fulham in summer 2007.
Republic of Ireland winger Kilbane, also 31, is thought to be ready to move on after falling down the pecking order at the JJB Stadium.
Brown does not intend his January recruitment to end there with plans also being made to find a striker and a defender.
He added: “I would like in an ideal world maybe three or four players in and three or four out – but it is not an ideal world.
“If there are some players out there you can get hold of and they will strengthen the situation, it is always good to go and get hold of them.
“To freshen the place up wouldn’t be a bad thing.
“We are looking to bring a striker in and we are looking to bring another defender in.”
Defender Wayne Brown remains at Hull after talks over a loan move to Charlton stalled. Full-back Ryan France has also turned down the chance to join Blackpool on loan.
