Hull City suspend Pedro Gonçalves transfer after director exit

Hull City have temporarily shelved plans to sign Sporting CP forward Pedro Gonçalves after the departure of sporting director Jared Dublin, despite previously preparing a bid worth €20 million for the Portugal international.

According to reports in Portugal, the newly-promoted Premier League club had identified Gonçalves as a priority attacking target for the summer transfer window. However, Dublin's unexpected exit earlier this month has placed the proposed move on hold, leaving the 28-year-old's future unresolved.

Jared Dublin was reportedly a long-time admirer of Gonçalves and had recommended that Hull City pursue the Sporting playmaker as part of the club's Premier League rebuild.

The English side were preparing an offer of around €20 million, a figure close to Sporting's minimum valuation. While the Portuguese champions are believed to prefer a fee closer to €30 million, they could be willing to negotiate a package in the region of €20-25 million if performance-related bonuses are included.

For now, Hull's interest has stalled following changes behind the scenes, and it remains unclear whether the club's new recruitment team will revive the deal before the transfer window closes.

Although Hull's move has been delayed, Gonçalves still appears likely to leave Sporting this summer.

Clubs from the Saudi Pro League continue to monitor his situation, with Al Ittihad and Al Diriyah, now managed by Portuguese coach Bruno Lage, both linked with the attacking midfielder.

The Saudi clubs are currently viewed as the most realistic destinations, although the prospect of playing in the Premier League is said to appeal strongly to Gonçalves should Hull revive their interest.

A move to the MKM Stadium would also reunite him with former Sporting teammate Hidemasa Morita, who joined Hull after leaving Lisbon at the end of his contract.

Gonçalves appeared for Sporting in Saturday's Troféu Cinco Violinos victory over Monaco, playing 28 minutes after coming on shortly after half-time.

The reception from supporters suggested many expect this to be his final weeks at the club. The midfielder received warm applause during the pre-match player presentation, again when substituted, and once more during the traditional post-match lap of honour.

After six highly successful seasons in Lisbon, both Sporting and the player are understood to accept that the time is right for a new challenge.

Since arriving from Famalicão ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, Gonçalves has become one of Sporting's defining players.

He finished as the Primeira Liga's top scorer in his first season, helping Sporting win their first league title in 19 years, and has since lifted three league championships, one Portuguese Cup, two League Cups and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.

Across 239 appearances, he has registered 97 goals and 66 assists, establishing himself as one of the club's most influential players of the modern era.

Sporting previously rejected significant offers from clubs including Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen, but both parties now appear ready to bring a memorable chapter to an end.

Hull City must decide whether their new recruitment team will continue pursuing Gonçalves, while Sporting await formal offers before the start of the Primeira Liga campaign. Unless Premier League interest is revived quickly, Saudi Arabia currently appears the most likely destination for the Portugal international.