Marco Silva seems to have brought a magic potion with him to KCOM Stadium. Since taking over, the manager has led the Tigers to win two of their last three games, who hadn’t won a single game in their previous nine fixtures.
The Portuguese is also determined to add quality this transfer season and has already brought in loanee Omar Niasse from Everton and Evandro from FC Porto. And next on his list, on loan, of course, is Olympiacos right-back Omar Elabdellaoui, as per reports. Hull have mostly defended with five at the back this season and even got some favourable results in that setup.
And now with their first team right-back Ahmad Elmohamady away at AFCON, the manager needs an immediate backup to fill the void left by him in the team. While Harry Maguire has efficiently held that position, he is a centre-back by nature and looked unsettled in his role.
Elabdellaoui could actually be an efficient option for Hull, as Silva is very much into using wing backs to balance their offence and defence. The Tigers expect to land him at KCOM Stadium before the weekend game against league leaders Chelsea, although he isn’t expected to take part in the game.
However, it is not a one-horse race either as Watford are also monitoring the Norway international and might make a move for him in the meantime. Elabdellaoui has 23 caps for his national team and has plenty of experience at the highest level. His campaign with Olympiacos hasn’t started well this time with the 25-year-old making only three appearances in the Greek Super League and he is seeking a platform where he will get regular football.
And Hull City could be an ideal choice for him as Silva expects the player to provide competition for Elmohamady. Although the lack of games will definitely be an issue for the player, Silva is expected to get him match-fit fast.
A Skeid Oslo youth product Elabdellaoui moved to Manchester City academy in 2008 and had many short loan stints at Strømsgodset IF, Feyenoord and Eintracht Braunschweig before finally moving to Olympiacos in 2014-15.
With only 12 days left in the January transfer window, Silva has to make things happen pretty fast and his problems are not only concerned with shipping in players but also fending off interests from other clubs for his players. Hull have already rejected three offers from West Ham for Robert Snodgrass and are finding it increasingly difficult to hold on to their star players. Silva is determined to pull them out of the relegation and it is important to keep his squad intact for that.
