Key factor caused Plymouth Argyle, Hull City transfer to collapse | OneFootball

Ruben Selles stepped in to black Mason Burstow's loan move to Plymouth during the final hours of the January window.

Hull City manager Ruben Selles effectively blocked Mason Burstow's loan move to Plymouth Argyle on deadline day.

Selles revealed this in an interview with BBC Radio Humberside journalist James Hoggarth, with the Tigers' manager revealing that he didn't want the forward to be loaned out to a key Championship rival.

Burstow, 21, hasn't been able to make that much of an impact this season, spending a decent proportion of the 2024/25 campaign on the bench.

Following an underwhelming loan spell at Sunderland last season, many Hull fans didn't expect the former Chelsea man to come in and make a real impact straight away.

And a loan move away from the MKM Stadium could have been ideal for the player during the January transfer window, with the likes of Kyle Joseph and Joe Gelhardt coming in as striker options.

Even with the pair arriving though, there has still been a place for him in Selles' matchday squad, with Chris Bedia's exit potentially playing a part in that.

He will be hoping to score some important goals in the coming months, but his game time could be limited.

Ruben Selles blocked Plymouth Argyle move for Mason Burstow

Burstow could have gone out on loan to accelarate his development - and he was reportedly made available for a temporary move away from East Yorkshire on the morning of deadline day.

Some second-tier and League One teams took an interest in him and Plymouth had even agreed a deal for the 21-year-old.

But Selles wasn't interested in loaning him out to the Pilgrims, telling BBC Radio Humberside's Hoggarth: "The only thing that I can say is I told the club I don’t want a player going to a direct club in The Championship right now."

Plymouth Argyle right to be dealt blow by Ruben Selles

It wouldn't have made sense for Hull to have loaned Burstow to Plymouth.

He may not have thrived with the Tigers so far, but he's still a part of Selles' plans and has been involved in the matchday squad regularly.

As well as this, loaning him out to a fellow relegation candidate could have been costly.

Hull will be keen to see Plymouth stay at the bottom, and with Morgan Whittaker leaving, they are even weaker without him.

Giving them Burstow would have been seen as a favour by Hull, who shouldn't be looking to aid their key rivals during their battle against the drop.