Hull City have moved further away from the relegation zone in recent weeks.
Liam Rosenior’s side have climbed to 16th in the Championship table since the turn of the year with results lifting the Tigers eight points clear of the bottom three.
Hull will be hoping to continue climbing the standings in the second half of the season in order to compete for a potential play-off place.
The January transfer window represents a chance for the club to make improvements to the first team squad in order to aid that ambition.
Signings have already been made this month but it is apparent that the club’s dealings this winter are far from over, with a little over a week remaining in the window.
Here we take a look at the two main transfer talking points surrounding Hull as we draw closer to the 31 January deadline…
Karl Darlow Pursuit
Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow is a potential transfer target for Hull, with the club taking a view towards a potential loan deal.
While Eddie Howe has confirmed that the goalkeeper will remain at St. James’ Park for this week’s EFL Cup semi-final tie with Southampton, the Premier League club are potentially open to a sale before the window shuts.
According to The Sun, Hull face competition from Huddersfield Town for the shot-stopper’s signature.
However, a move to the MKM Stadium is now a distinct possibility given how far down the pecking order the 32-year-old currently finds himself with the Magpies.
It is understood that Newcastle will need to pay the majority of Darlow’s salary if any transfer agreement is to be struck before the window closes.
Luke McNally loan interest
Burnley defender Luke McNally is another reported transfer target for the Tigers this month, according to Alan Nixon.
McNally has struggled for game time since arriving at Turf Moor from Oxford United last summer, having ended up well down the pecking order of Vincent Kompany’s side.
A loan move may help him to compete more regularly at this level, having taken the step up to the Championship with the move to the Clarets.
The 23-year-old has featured just twice in the league so far this season, with both appearances amounting to brief cameos off the bench.
It is hoped that securing a loan move away will earn him more playing time, but Hull face competition from the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Blackpool in their pursuit of the Irish central defender.