Michael Kenrick 31/08/2026 25comments  |  Jump to last

(Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Tim Iroegbunam's proposed move to Hull City appears to be back on after the combative midfielder made a surprise return to the pitch on Saturday at Bournemouth.

The proposed summer departure of Tim Iroegbunam to newly-promoted Hull City hit a major snag when negotiations stalled after the player suffered a knock during a preseason friendly against Stuttgart, leading Hull to express fears over a long-term layoff — a diagnosis that was disputed by sources close to the player and indeed he made a surprise  return to the Everton first-team squad at the weekend.

Having submitted an offer exceeding £15M for the 23-year-old midfielder, Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic publicly praised Iroegbunam's dynamic profile and physical presence. And it seems the deal is now back on again. 

Everton's acquisitions of Hayden Hackney and Christian Nørgaard in the past few weeks have pushed Iroegbunam further down the pecking order, leaving his long-term future at Everton uncertain.

Since arriving from Aston Villa in July 2024, Iroegbunam has served as a primary rotational option in central midfield. While his combative nature and aerial presence give Everton a strong physical profile in the middle of the park, his aggressive tackling style has frequently caught the eye of referees.

During his key run in the first-team squad, Iroegbunam accumulated a notable disciplinary record relative to his overall minutes played, clocking up 9 yellw cards over 29 Premier League appearances last season.

His eager style of play in the heart of the Everton midfield often edged into reckless territory when breaking up opposition counter-attacks and this unfortunate propensity for picking up early cautions often limited his ability to make tactical fouls late in matches, forcing Moyes to sub him off prematurely in several tight contests.

 

Reader Comments (25)

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Gavin Johnson
1 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:24:16
Deal back on and reportedly more this time with the fee reported as reaching £22M. So a very good deal for a player who cost us £9M and who we can afford to lose.
Christy Ring
2 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:27:43
Gavin#1 A respectable fee, hopefully we can sign another full back now,
Paul Griffiths
3 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:31:46
Yep Gavin, package worth up to £22M. Clears up some space in the middle for us. Never been that impressed by him. He'll play more at Hull and I'm guessing that he will be suspended twice this season.
Mark Ryan
4 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:34:18
My maths ain't great but we sold Illy, Tim, Beto and loaned out Aznou today and so we've made around £100 million.
£60 mil Illy, £20 mil Beto, £20 mil Tim and a loan deal for Adam A
With Balogun costing £40 mil that leaves us with around £60 million. Surely if Tete is only £9 mil we must have somewhere around £50 million in our pocket. Surely that gets us Grealish and Richy
Michael Burke
5 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:42:21
Mark, you've missed off Norgard, Hackney, George and Rohl.
Craig Burrell
7 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:48:26
Mark, those figures will be gross (not net) and will not be including some significant agents fees I expect.

I imagine we need to balance the books from last year and also the Burnley fee sadly. Our owners care only for profit.

Possibly good to save some for January anyway or even (whisper it) early next summer to allow them to bed into the squad nice and early. Which is not the Everton way these days sadly...
Mark Ryan
8 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:49:12
They were bought by using the Arteta money
Ian Bennett
9 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:52:24
£22m for him is good business.

With him, Beto, Ndiaye, Mcneil, it deals with a number of players out of contract or refusing new deals. Just Patterson to sort.
Rocco Bugaj
10 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:54:10
Mark, we aren't getting 20 million for Beto. We won't get 20 million for Tim right away either, but possibly later (bonuses). Otherwise, your math skills don't seem too bad at all. 😉
Annika Herbert
11 Posted 31/08/2026 at 21:59:32
Sorry to see Tim go but I understand why. A good deal for the club and a nice profit too.

I hope we added a sell on clause too. I do think he will improve significantly with more playing time.

I honestly believe he will end up at a top club in the future. But I have been wrong many times before...
Rocco Bugaj
13 Posted 31/08/2026 at 22:10:02
Balogun kostet 45 Mio Euro + 5 Mio Euro Bonus + eine Weiterverkaufsbeteiligung.
Mal van Schaick
14 Posted 31/08/2026 at 22:20:28
Fair enough. As long as we are in for a midfield replacement, because we need to recruit more not lose more.
Sean Kearns
15 Posted 01/09/2026 at 01:06:54
The streets won’t forget his flick on for Tarky to score the late screamer in the last derby at Goodison 🔥 best of luck lad, that clip will be watched for generations. Also a fun fact, both of his parents are deaf and he communicates in sign language.
Mike Gaynes
16 Posted 01/09/2026 at 01:32:57
Sean, I didn't know that. Amazing.

Always impressed me with his attitude, fearlessness and tackling technique, but I doubt he will ever learn proper positioning -- or when NOT to go in for the ball.

Wishing him the very best of luck -- except against us of course.
Jack Convery
17 Posted 01/09/2026 at 01:45:20
I hope it works out for him. he's as honest as the day is long. Good business for both teams imo.
Geoff Trenner
18 Posted 01/09/2026 at 04:58:43
Just checked the league table, another one wanting to play ‘Champions’ League football!
Ian Jones
19 Posted 01/09/2026 at 06:09:55
The window hasn't been too bad. Never got to see what Tim could do. But at least it's one less player for Harrison to contend with.

Tim came to us patt of the Dobbin to Villa deal which seemed to be part of a PSR exchange.
Terry Farrell
20 Posted 01/09/2026 at 06:26:14
Good luck to Tim playing every week he will gain the consistency needed to compliment his speed and skill and we will regret this one. Gutted Illy has gone I wont be quite as excited on match day and we have lost our X factor! £65m is £20m short and shows we must be cash poor. If thats because of the Burnley money then the EPL want hanging. AGAIN! No to Ritchie at any price and definitely at £35m thats another bad transfer price £20m over. Balogun is an interesting one but to lead the line at 5.10 in the prem is tough!. Take Jack back all day no to Tete.
Lee Courtliff
21 Posted 01/09/2026 at 06:32:44
Never before has my opinion on a player swung like a pendulum the way it did with this lad!
At times I thought he could become a very good midfielder for us, others I thought he could be an excellent squad player. And sometimes he looked like a Championship player!

Always liked him as he came across well, and his ability to learn sign language without formal training is amazing, I wish him nothing but good luck.
Andrew Ellams
22 Posted 01/09/2026 at 06:53:47
It was one from him or Alcaraz leaving in this window and he's the one we got an acceptable bid for.
Paul Hughes
23 Posted 01/09/2026 at 09:58:02
Brilliant that he has effectively taught himself sign language - good on the lad. Especially since he is colour-blind as well, judging by the number of times he passed to the opposition.
Jack Convery
24 Posted 01/09/2026 at 10:52:33
We maybe / maybe not trying to bring in Mandela Keita from Parma. DM aged 25, one cap for Belgium. PS He's played RB once. Defo starter then. Valued at £20m according to TMkt.

It's a slow day here in our house, in the middle of our Street.
Andrew Ellams
25 Posted 01/09/2026 at 10:57:27
Not needed though Jack. Tim has become surplus and should be used to fund incomings elsewhere in the squad.
Richard Lyons
26 Posted 01/09/2026 at 17:35:31
I liked him, he was a positive player - never made a sideways pass, knew which direction the opposition goal was etc. I think it's a shame he's going, but I wish him well.
Jack Convery
27 Posted 01/09/2026 at 20:05:10
Has he signed yet ? There's nothing on Hulls official site.

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