Hull City look to have Regan Slater succession plan if Derby County or Middlesbrough swoop | OneFootball

Reda Laalaoui looks set for a move to Hull City as a highly-rated midfielder

After a frustrating 2024/25 campaign, the upcoming summer transfer window is critical for Hull City if they are to match Acun Ilicali's well-documented ambitions in the near future.

The two windows throughout the campaign brought mixed fortunes, as 12 months ago, Tigers supporters bid farewell to a plethora of high-profile stars and loanees who were extremely unlikely to return to the MKM Stadium after strong campaigns, including the likes of Liam Delap, who is now on the radar of Manchester United.

Despite the continued inconsistency throughout a season that has also been plagued by long-term injuries, Tim Walter and his successor, Ruben Selles, can be credited with making a handful of additions who have impressed consistently, or during periods of a season in which City ended 21st, surviving on goal difference ahead of Luton Town.

All the previous transfer windows during Acun Ilicali's three-and-a-half-year tenure in the boardroom make for yet another unpredictable summer when it comes to potential incomings and outgoings, with the total number of players who have moved to HU3 since January 2022 currently standing at 60 - a model which some sections of the fanbase believe is unsustainable in the long haul.

However, with the upcoming window set to officially open on Monday 1st June, before re-opening two weeks later, Hull have already looked into a potential succession plan as the club are said to be in "very advanced negotiations" with 20-year-old Moroccan midfielder, Reda Laalaoui. And, with exit talk surrounding a handful of central midfielders at the MKM, it perhaps isn't hard to see why.

Hull City set to complete transfer of highly-rated Reda Laalaoui

It was revealed on Monday afternoon by FootMercato that City's negotiations with Laalaoui had reached such a point, as he currently plies his trade for FUS Rabat of the Botola Pro 1 - the top-flight of his home country.

The homegrown talent has made 54 appearances for the club ever since breaking into the first-team picture at just 17 years of age, which showcases a strong ability to play with maturity beyond his years, as well as scoring five times and producing three assists over the course of the two years which followed his debut against RS Berkane.

His high potential has also been echoed with previous links to Belgian giants Anderlecht, as well as Spanish sides in the form of SC Eibar and Deportivo Alaves.

During the infancy of his career, Laalaoui has shown the hallmarks of becoming a high-end combative midfielder with his defensive recoveries and successes in duels for Rabat alongside his goal tally as they finished the season in third place, as well as starring for the 'Atlas Lions' Under-23's where he has scored six times and registered one assist.

Laalaoui has garnered a reputation in North Africa as a player who is able to burst through midfield at pace and find himself in advanced areas, as well as not shying away from the so-called 'dirty work'.

Of course, an immediate step-up into the Championship would be a whole new ballpark for the youngster despite the fact he has been tipped to star across Europe in the coming years, and it is expected that he will link up with the Tigers' Under-21's side once a move is finalised.

Whilst City's senior squad is currently stacked with dependable Championship performers, it does remain to be seen what the long-term future holds for all of Regan Slater, Steven Alzate and Gustavo Puerta.

It was reported in April that Slater, who has developed a canny knack for creating chances and bursting forward from deep, is on the radar of Derby County, Middlesbrough and Stoke City as well as play-off finalists, Sheffield United.

Whilst it would seem that the Blades would target a whole new calibre of central midfielder if they are successful at Wembley, a potential move to the remaining trio of Hull's divisional rivals hasn't been played down yet, although initial reports stated that such developments hinged on a potential drop into League One, which Selles' team managed to avoid.

Slater was ruled out of the clash against Portsmouth after suffering an ankle problem against Derby County the week before, and whilst it remains to be seen whether further news impacts any interest, Alzate has also been the subject of transfer speculation from clubs in La Liga.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion man has blown hot and cold this season, like the vast majority of his teammates, but it has been reported that the Colombian midfielder is on the radar of Valencia - managed by former West Brom boss, Carlos Corberan - and Getafe, as well as several English clubs.

Alzate has shown why he was on the books of the Premier League outfit for a large proportion of his career with strong technical and creative ability, and these are strong attributes which Laalaoui is said to possess, only strengthening the debate about this potential succession plan.

These transfer decisions don't always pan out though, as Hull can testify to, with Peruvian prodigy, Yuriel Celi, leaving the club back in January despite failing to register an appearance after joining from Carlos A.Mannucci in January 2023, so it is a calculated risk which this time, the hierarchy will hope pays off.