“Trust the manager” – Ray Parlour’s message to Hull City over West Ham, Burnley target. Ray Parlour has been speaking about Jacob Greaves’ future at the MKM Stadium
Hull has improved under new ownership and has the potential to progress further. Strength in depth is crucial for Championship success, supporting Walter’s balancing act.
Former Hull City midfielder Ray Parlour has urged supporters to trust new manager Tim Walter in the transfer market, particularly as interest in Jacob Greaves intensifies from the likes of West Ham United and Burnley.
The homegrown centre-back has been a staple of the Tigers’ defence ever since breaking through under Grant McCann in the club’s League One-winning campaign of 2020/21 and has since made great strides in the Championship.
Similarly to Greaves, Hull as a club have progressed massively since Acun Ilicali’s takeover in January 2022, especially last season under Liam Rosenior.
The club’s former right-back guided the club to their highest league position since 2017 but it wasn’t enough for Rosenior to keep his job as he was sacked after the final day defeat by Plymouth Argyle which saw City miss out on a play-off place before eventually being replaced by Walter. The EFL officially sees the summer transfer window open on Friday 14th June, weeks before clubs in the second, third and fourth tiers of English football begin their pre-season preparations.
As a result of the due diligence involved in Walter’s arrival from Acun Ilicali, rumours have been somewhat quiet in terms of incomings to HU3, but they have seen a plethora of rumours involving the aforementioned talent of Greaves – with the Hammers, Spurs, and Burnley both named as potential suitors.
It’s a difficult situation for the new German boss to be in, as he embarks on his maiden pre-season and transfer window in charge of the Tigers. Speaking exclusively to Football League World, via NetBet Casino, Parlour, who featured 15 times for the club on loan from Middlesbrough in 2007, has urged supporters to be patient when it comes to potential domino effects a sale of the 23-year-old could have on their recruitment.
“He has been a good player for Hull City, but if the manager believes he can recruit elsewhere and bring in better players this may be the case,” he said.
“You can’t keep spending without recouping money for players, so it’s important to have a balanced squad and you have the trust the manager to bring in good players.
Parlour concluded: “Strength in depth is key in the Championship with so many games as well.” Greaves has been the subject of long-standing interest, particularly from the likes of Premier League sides West Ham, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
It was revealed in March by the Mirror that The Toffees have regularly monitored the left-footed centre-half’s progression in Black and Amber amid interest in their own star defender, Jarrad Branthwaite, which has only grown stronger as the transfer window edges closer.
Furthermore, Tottenham were said to have sent scouts to watch Greaves perform admirably in a 2-2 draw with eventual champions Leicester City, whilst West Ham were keeping tabs on the defender whilst they replaced David Moyes with Julen Lopetegui.
Meanwhile, newly-relegated Burnley have since seen their hat thrown into this developing transfer saga, with talkSPORT claiming that the Hull-born man is valued at approximately £15m.
It comes to the surprise of nobody of a Black and Amber persuasion that the defender, who was also included in the official Championship Team of the Season, and scooped a hat-trick of accolades at the club’s Player of the Year awards, is continuing to gain admirers from the top flight.
