Ivanović Turns Down Jakirović's Hull, Tigers Target Cho for €20 Million
Croatian international Franjo Ivanović has opted for Betis, while Hull City under Sergej Jakirović prepares a hefty bid for Nice's young striker Mohamed-Ali Cho.
Croatian international Franjo Ivanović has opted for Betis, while Hull City under Sergej Jakirović prepares a hefty bid for Nice's young striker Mohamed-Ali Cho.
Sergej Jakirović and Franjo Ivanović, who previously worked together at Dinamo, will not reunite in England after all. Hull City, the newly promoted Premier League side, sent an offer for the Benfica striker, but the occasional Croatia international turned it down and chose Spanish club Betis instead, according to insider Lorenzo Lepore for Sportske novosti. Ivanović sees Betis as the best destination for his development after struggling for playing time at Benfica.
Lepore previously reported that the Spanish club wants to bring Ivanović on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. The Croatian forward will thus not play for the team that his former coach sensationally guided into the English top flight last season.
After the Ivanović deal fell through, Hull City and Jakirović quickly turned to an alternative. As reported by Večernji list, the Tigers are highly interested in 22-year-old Nice forward Mohamed-Ali Cho, and negotiations have already begun. The young Frenchman, who can cover three attacking positions, is valued at €20 million-double what Nice paid Real Sociedad in January 2024.
According to Sportske novosti, citing French media, Hull is prepared to submit a formal bid of that amount. Cho's potential arrival would be the club's biggest incoming transfer this window, given that they have so far spent only €3.5 million on fees, including the signing of experienced goalkeeper Jack Butland from Rangers. Cho made 37 appearances for Nice last season, scoring five goals and providing five assists.
Hull City returned to the Premier League after a nine-year absence, securing promotion via the playoffs from sixth place. The promotion earned the club over €200 million, and as Net.hr reports, Jakirović and owner Acun Ilicali plan to spend "to the last cent" to ensure survival in the league. In addition to Cho, other reinforcements are in the pipeline: Rayo Vallecano left-back Nobel Mendy is on the verge of signing, and the club has already brought in Hidemasa Morita, Matt Targett, and Jack Butland.
Interestingly, Jakirović's interest is not limited to Ivanović and Cho. According to the same source, Croatian players Toni Fruk and Marco Pašalić are also on the wish list.
