According to The Sun, Championship side Hull City are eyeing a loan move for Sam Gallagher. The report also claims that Blackburn Rovers are also interested in the Southampton striker. Hull are viewing Gallagher as a fallback option should they fail to land Ashley Fletcher from Middlesbrough.
The Tigers have enjoyed a resurgence in form that has seen them climb to eighth in the league just six points behind sixth-placed Derby County. The KCOM stadium side will be looking to get themselves in promotion playoff spots between now and the end of the season. A loan deal for the striker would be a welcome option for Nigel Adkins charges.
If the Tigers are unable to strike a deal with Championship rivals Boro for the 23-year-old former Manchester United prospect, then they will turn their attention to Southampton striker Gallagher, according to the report.
The former England U20 international is struggling for playing time at St Mary’s this season. He has made four appearances across all competitions so far clocking a little over 100 minutes of on the field. A temporary drop down the divisions to the Championship does make sense for him. He needs to play competitive football and Hull might provide him with just that.
Gallagher looks set for another loan spell away from Southampton after failing to break into the first-team squad at St. Mary’s. With Hull allowing Will Keane to join Ipswich Town on loan, the Humberside club have space to add another striker to their ranks and Gallagher could be a sound option.
The 23-year-old has Championship experience, having had previous spells on loan at Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City. He scored a combined 17 league goals and assisted five more in 89 appearances.
Hull have the likes of Jarrod Bowe, Kamil Grosicki and Fraizer Campbell in their ranks. It is this trio that has fired in the goals during the club’s impressive winning streak.
An injury to one of them could pose a devastating problem to Hull’s late promotion ambition. Gallagher would provide competition either up front or in a wide attacking role at the KCOM Stadium. The Saints are seemingly happy to loan him out so this could be a move that benefits all involved.
Strong in the air and able to hold onto the ball, Gallagher could be a potential game-changer for this Hull side. He is also a threat from indirect set pieces and can also cut inside from the right-wing. However, any potential deal would be hinged on Southampton covering most of the player’s wages.
