The Tigers have been busy in the transfer market despite the EFL’s restrictions
Cherif Ndiaye in action for Red Star Belgrade(Image: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Hull City will not be signing striker Cherif Ndiaye despite the Senegalese international being keen on a move to the MKM Stadium before the transfer window closes.
City have watched the 29-year-old in action over recent months for Red Star Belgrade and were impressed by his record of 18 goals and five assists in 24 Super Liga outings, and are firm admirers.
He’s currently preparing for a league game with Mladost Lucani on Friday night before a big Champions League play-off on Tuesday against Pafos with his future firmly up in the air.
In 86 appearances for Red Star, the experienced frontman netted 39 goals and has an impressive record throughout his career, which has alerted a host of clubs to his availability, including the Tigers along with German outfit Mainz and Al Jazeera FC in Abu Dhabi.
Ndiaye came through the youth system at Grand Yoff FC before playing for Waasland-Beveren in Belgium. He also played in Croatia, and then there was a period in the Turkish leagues with Goztepe and Adana Demirspor, split by a short stint in China prior to his move to Serbia.
Despite watching Ndiaye and being impressed with what they’ve seen, City are not in a position to strike a deal with Belgrade for the frontman, who is valued in excess of £6m.
City are still working under the EFL’s transfer fee ban, meaning they cannot pay a permanent or loan fee for any player until January 2027.
Even if that ban was lifted today, City would still not be able to splash the cash needed to bring Ndiaye to the MKM Stadium owing to the wage limits imposed on them by the EFL’s financial unit. The club are also working hard to stay within FFP limits, so any significant outlay could put them at risk of breaking those rules and a subsequent points deduction, something they’re naturally keen to avoid.
The Tigers have so far added Oliver McBurnie, Enis Destan and Joe Gelhardt to their attacking ranks this summer, while winger Joel Ndala has arrived and scored his first goal on Tuesday night at Wrexham in the Carabao Cup. City also hope to have Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi back after the first international break of the season, but Abu Kamara could be about to join Getafe.
Frustratingly, over a week on from their appeal hearing, City still have not been made aware of the outcome, and as such, the EFL have not yet ratified the signings of winger David Akintola and defender Brandon Williams.
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