Hull City are interested in pursuing a permanent transfer for current Manchester United loanee Di'Shon Bernard.
The 21-year-old has been a mainstay in the Tigers' backline this season and has built a strong relationship with Jacob Greaves alongside him.
Bernard spent last season on loan at Salford City and so it was always going to be a difficult step up from League Two to the Championship, but he has realised that with ease and is clearly admired by new manager Shota Arveladze.
Arveladze gave his insight into the club's pursuit of Bernard and potentially Nathan Baxter on permanent transfers when he spoke to HullLive.
He said: "We will talk to each other, a process we’ve already started.
"We’ll talk with their (Bernard and Baxter) agents, today (Thursday) I’ve spoken with Dish (Di'Shon Bernard).
"We are busy, the club is working hard (behind the scenes).
"I’ve already spoken to the players and they see their future at this club, which is good to know.
"The process is ongoing and I think we have time, not too much, but time to sit and make the right decisions which is not easy, of course.
"It’s a great chance for them to play regularly, and probably they realise this.
"I’ve spoken with them and they’re open for their futures, so let’s see."
Baxter has been ruled out with injury recently after replacing Matt Ingram to great effect, coinciding with the upturn in form that has the Tigers safely clear of the relegation zone.
The Verdict
It is very encouraging to see the clear intentions from Acun Ilicali and Arveladze, to keep this group together as much as they can and to build for the future with up and coming talents.
Greaves and Keane Lewis-Potter have gained admirers in higher places this season and interest could spark up again around the latter in the summer, however it speaks to Ilicali's ambition at the club that he is not prepared to cash in on the club's asset to recoup more funds to recruit his own personnel.
It is a sign of respect for the strength of the Championship and the job that Grant McCann carried out at the club, and an approach that should definitely have Hull on a firmer footing heading into the 2022/23 campaign.