5 free agents Hull City should consider signing ft Jonjo Shelvey and released QPR man | OneFootball

Hull may be forced to operate in the free agent market this summer.

Hull City's hands could become tied when it comes to transfer activity this summer and beyond, with uncertainty surrounding the financial landscape of the club at present.

The Tigers were placed under two separate transfer embargoes - both of which have been lifted - but still remain under threat of a three-window transfer fee restriction after failing to make payments within a 30-day period, as Aston Villa were owed outstanding sums in relation to Louie Barry's injury-hit loan spell last campaign.

Acun Ilicali remains "confident" that the punishment, which would last until 2027, can be avoided, and that Sergej Jakirovic will receive ample backing for the remainder of the transfer window, although some reports suggest that the club may not learn the fate of their appeal until after the beginning of the Championship season.

Sporting director, Jared Dublin, has since attempted to reassure the MKM Stadium faithful that all potential bases are being covered, with one of them being that City are limited to making free transfers.

With that being said, here are five players currently on the free agent market that Hull should consider moving for ahead of the new season.

Jonjo Shelvey

The addition of Jonjo Shelvey as a free agent would now seem extremely seamless, as the 33-year-old has spent the early weeks of pre-season with Hull in the hopes of earning a contract following his release from Burnley.

At this stage of his career, it would be a welcome move for Jakirovic to add a player with such impressive technical and ball-striking ability, as well as a combative presence in midfield - which the Tigers have lacked in recent times - to his squad.

There may be some reservations that Shelvey only made two league appearances during a short stint during the Clarets' promotion-winning season last term.

However, with City set to lose Steven Alzate to MLS outfit, Atlanta United, moving for the six-time England international on an extended basis would represent shrewd business.

Kenneth Paal

Jakirovic will also hope to address City's defensive situation, with Alfie Jones closing in on a £3m switch to Middlesbrough, a move which is set to follow Sean McLoughlin's departure to fellow Championship rivals, Blackburn Rovers.

The left side of defence was a problem area for Tim Walter and Ruben Selles last term, with Ryan Giles underperforming before an underwhelming brief return to the Riverside Stadium, whilst McLoughlin proved a steady stop-gap option as no signings in this particular field were made in January.

Therefore, it makes total sense for the Yorkshire side to take advantage of Kenneth Paal's exit from Queens Park Rangers and move for the Suriname international on a free transfer.

The 28-year-old would bring the experience of over 120 second-tier outings to HU3 with him, and has the attributes of a solid, all-rounded full-back with great composure and ability to get forward, as well as doing the so-called 'dirty work'.

Another financial benefit to Hull is that Paal's ESTIMATED earnings at Loftus Road were only £8,000 per week, meaning it wouldn't be a significant addition to the club's payroll.

Johannes Eggestein

City were the division's lowest scorers last term with just 44 strikes, and saw top scorer Joao Pedro leave on a free transfer at the start of the window, meaning further bodies in the centre-forward department are a must.

Having already seen a move for Oli McBurnie blocked by the EFL, Hull could swoop for 27-year-old forward, Johannes Eggestein, who has recently departed Bundesliga outfit, St. Pauli.

The Hanover-born striker scored three times and provided a further four assists in the Bundesliga last term, but was the club's joint-second highest goalscorer during the promotion season of 2023/24, in which he scored nine and assisted four once again.

Clearly better suited to second-tier football at this moment in time, it's no surprise that a player of his ability has been eyed up by former Plymouth Argyle boss, Miron Muslic, at Schalke, although talk of a move to the Veltins Arena has cooled of late.

Jeffrey Schlupp

Another free agent who has been linked with a potential move to the MKM Stadium is the vastly-experienced Jeffrey Schlupp, although the Tigers are set to face stern competition for the 32-year-old, who recently ended a lengthy association with Crystal Palace.

Africa Foot recently claimed that they are set to battle it out with Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion for his services, whilst SPFL giants, Celtic, are also exploring the possibility of a permanent deal after Schlupp impressed north of the border during a loan stint last term.

The former Championship and Premier League title-winner with Leicester City would be a welcome addition to the ranks due to the versatility which he boasts, able to fill in central midfield, which could be handy given Alzate's expected departure and uncertainty over Gustavo Puerta's imminent future, as well as a primary position in a defensive or advanced position on the left flank.

Tom Lawrence

Another experienced option who hasn't remained short of Championship interest is Tom Lawrence, who recently departed the other side of Glasgow after three years with Rangers.

The 31-year-old left Ibrox after accumulating a return of 12 goals and seven assists in just 69 appearances across three seasons, falling down the pecking order under Phillipe Clement after initially being signed by Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

However, if the Welshman is able to rekindle his prior Championship form, which was at its peak during a lengthy spell with Derby County - it's not hard to see why the Gers previously demanded a £5m sum for his services, as well as links to the likes of West Brom, Coventry City and Wrexham this summer.

One slight issue with this potential move could be the wages involved, as the Manchester United academy graduate earned an ESTIMATED