"A little strange" - Hull City questioned over Middlesbrough target stance | OneFootball

Our Fan Pundit delivers their verdict on the twist in Boro's pursuit

Highlights

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough's pursuit of Hull City left-back Ryan Giles has seemingly hit a snag.

It was widely reported that the Tigers were open to selling the 24-year-old earlier this summer, despite him only officially becoming a Hull player in the summer. Boro, who had the defender on loan in the 2022/23 season, were interested in acquiring his services, but Hull's owner Acun Ilicali has since told supporters that the player is going nowhere.

He arrived at the MKM Stadium back in January from Luton Town, with an obligation to buy this summer. The Tigers, having chased promotion hard, now find themselves in a tough financial position and were thought to be willing to recoup some funds from Giles.

Our Boro Fan Pundit, Phil, has provided us with his take on the latest update.

Hull are bargaining, says Fan Pundit

Phil, who creates Middlesbrough content on YouTube, believes that the Tigers are likely still open to accepting an offer for Giles, but are perhaps making him seem more of a prized asset to increase their asking price.

Speaking to Football League World, Phil said: “The Ryan Giles situation is also quite an interesting one as far as Middlesbrough are concerned.

“I’m not really buying into a lot of the talk that’s going on in the paper at the moment. Hull are being quite vocal about Ryan Giles’ future, which I find a little strange.

“There was a lot of noise earlier in the window that they were very, very much open to selling him this summer. I think maybe they’re a little bit aware that they were coming on a little bit too open to letting him go and they’re maybe starting to put a message out to the market that it’ll take a serious offer, and that he’s Hull’s player, and that they want to keep hold of him. “To me, that’s what the message is regarding Ryan Giles. It’s maybe a little bit of bargaining really, making sure that clubs such as Middlesbrough know that he won’t be allowed to leave on the cheap. “From a personal point of view, I think that Ryan Giles would be a brilliant signing for Middlesbrough. I do think it’s a deal that could get done before the end of the month as well. “There’s no guarantees really, I think he’d be a brilliant player for Hull this season. He could have a massive role to play in Hull, who are really looking to build a side to replace all of the players that have left over the course of this summer, and Ryan Giles could be a real asset for them next term.

“But, if he’s not in their plans, if he’s not a player that they’re going to be wanting to keep around, I do certainly think Middlesbrough will be in there wanting to sign him. And from a personal point of view, I do still think there’s a deal to be done. I just feel that Hull are probably doing a little bit of bargaining to try and get the best deal for him before he does inevitably move on before the end of the month.”

Would be a low-risk use of funds for Boro

Achilles injury requires surgery.

Hull are well within their rights to try and squeeze as much out of the Giles deal as possible, just as Boro are attempting to lower the asking price with stories suggesting they are targeting a number of options.

The reality is that, if Hull feel they do need extra funds, a middle ground is there to be found, because Giles fits Boro's requirements perfectly.

Not only that, but there is less risk than most signings because people at the Riverside Stadium have already seen what Giles can do for the team.