Monday is transfer deadline day and interest in Hull City’s Ireland defender John Egan is growing.
John Egan(Image: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic says he wants to hold onto John Egan for the rest of the season.
However, he admitted he would be powerless to stop the Ireland defender from leaving if the Corkman wished to pursue interest from a growing number of clubs.
Ipswich Town have been tipped to launch a late bid to sign Egan, while Premier League side West Ham have become the latest club to be linked with a move for the 33-year-old.
Egan previously played in the top-flight with Sheffield United, while he moved to Hull last January on a contract that runs until the summer of 2027.
Jakirovic is eager to hold onto the experienced defender, who has also had spells at Sunderland, Gillingham, Brentford and Burnley.
“If you ask me, I would like John to stay with us,” he said. “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.”