Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Sunderland and Watford are reportedly battling for Hull City goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.
Hull City’s Eldin Jakupovic celebrates
According to Sky Sports, five clubs are interested in snapping up Hull City goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic this summer – including Aston Villa and Sunderland.
Jakupovic, 32, had a nomadic career spanning spells in Switzerland, Russia and Greece before joining Hull City in the summer of 2012, becoming Steve Bruce’s first signing at the KCOM Stadium.
A former Swiss international, Jakupovic played just 13 times in his first three seasons with the Tigers and spent two loan spells with Leyton Orient, but he has been vital this term.
Despite landing David Marshall from Cardiff City last summer, Hull have made Jakupovic their first-choice goalkeeper this season, and he has impressed in his 19 Premier League appearances.
Hull’s Eldin Jakupovic reacts after saving from Derby’s Chris Martin
However, his contract expires in just over a year, and that situation appears to have alerted rival clubs, with Sky Sports claiming that Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Sunderland and Watford are all keen on Jakupovic.
Palace could see Steve Mandanda leave the club this summer, with Jakupovic potentially being viewed as competition for Wayne Hennessey, and similar could be said of Leicester City with Ron-Robert Zieler and Kasper Schmeichel respectively.
Hull City’s Eldin Jakupovic saves from Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey
Watford may allow Costel Pantilimon to move on this summer, possibly giving Jakupovic a chance to battle Heurelho Gomes between the sticks, whilst Sunderland are facing up to life without star goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is bound to attract huge interest this summer.
Yet, possibly the most interesting link is to Aston Villa. Manager Steve Bruce signed Jakupovic at Hull, and could be in the market for a goalkeeper given that Sam Johnstone is only on loan from Manchester United – but whether he could tempt the veteran stopper to Villa Park is another matter, especially if Hull manage to avoid relegation.
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