James Smailes

Hull City have held initial talks with Nottingham Forest and Dilane Bakwa about a season-long loan for the 23-year-old French winger. Bakwa has been told he can leave by Forest manager Oliver Glasner after making limited Premier League appearances last season, although he featured during pre-season. Forest are unwilling to sell the player, who cost £30 million and has four years remaining on a five-year contract, but are open to a loan to reduce squad numbers. The deal remains at an early stage.

Hull City have parted ways with sporting director Jared Dublin less than two years after his appointment, issuing a brief statement thanking him for his role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League. His immediate departure leaves the club searching for a new head of recruitment or sporting director, marking the second change in the role within two years.

Hull FC interim coach Andy Last expressed frustration after a derby defeat to Hull KR, highlighting two refereeing decisions he believed went against his side during a second-half comeback. A disputed pullback incident and an inconclusive captain’s challenge ruling were cited as turning points before a late error by Lewis Martin led to the decisive try in a 26-12 loss. Last said the team would support the young winger following the costly moment and emphasised the importance of technical improvements under pressure.

Kyle Joseph’s planned £5 million transfer from Hull City to Middlesbrough is expected to be delayed as Middlesbrough opts to monitor his recovery from recent ankle surgery. Negotiations continue, but the move is unlikely to happen soon, with Joseph set to resume rehabilitation with Hull during pre-season. Middlesbrough remains interested, and the delay will not affect Hull City’s Financial Fair Play position.