The Tigers remain keen to keep the Republic of Ireland international
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
05:00, 01 Feb 2026
John Egan in action at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday(Image: Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Ipswich Town want to sign John Egan from Hull City before Monday night’s transfer deadline, though the Tigers are keen to keep the Irishman at the MKM Stadium.
Hull Live understands the Tractor Boys are keen to sign Egan on a permanent deal, with the central defender a key target for Kieran McKenna. Egan activated an extension in his contract towards the back end of last year and has a deal at City until the summer of 2027.
Boss Sergej Jakirovic remains defiant and wants to see the 33-year-old remain at the MKM Stadium, after establishing himself as a key part of the promotion-chasing Tigers.
Egan delivered another polished display on Saturday as City made it four straight wins in the Championship, with a battling 1-0 win at struggling Blackburn Rovers, his 26th league outing of the season.
City leapfrogged Town after McKenna’s side needed a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Preston North End at Portman Road on Saturday. The Tigers face the Tractor Boys in Suffolk early next month.
The experienced defender has played his part in a much-improved defensive setup from City in recent games, keeping four clean sheets in the last eight games.
“If you ask me, I would like John to stay with us,” Jakirovic told Hull Live. “If somebody asks at the beginning of the season, John Egan, you will play a big number of games, I think he will not believe in that, but he’s a very important member of this squad.
“John’s truly a leader with a lot of experience, and there is no surprise for me that he has some offers, so we will see, but if a player decides to go, you must respect that. I cannot stop anybody if he chooses to go, but I will fight to make sure he stays with us.”
Should Egan move on, then the Tigers will move quickly to try and bring in more cover, with Semi Ajayi out with a hamstring injury and not expected back until after the international break in March.
Paddy McNair was on the bench at Ewood Park after joining from San Diego in the MLS last week, but he hasn’t played since November.
“I don’t know, maybe we will bring somebody in,” Jakirovic said when asked if cover would be sought on Monday. “We will see. We have Paddy (McNair) now. Paddy needs some time to get in shape, but we have Charlie (Hughes), we have Akin (Famewo), we have Cathal McCarthy. Semi is still out, we have James Debayo, so we will see, but I hope he will stay.”
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