Hull City are trying to recruit Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng during the current transfer window; but, there appears to be one major stumbling block.

Hull City are hoping to stay inside their transfer limitations this January, having been placed under an embargo until the summer of 2026.

According to HullLive, the EFL accepted the Tigers’ approach for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Dieng in January, with Boro seeking to decrease their salary bill as they prepare to compete in the Premier League.

However, according to Alan Nixon, there appears to be a major stumbling block preventing the transfer from being completed as of yet, with the former QPR goalkeeper seeking a payout from Boro in order to leave Teesside for Humberside.

Seny Dieng is seeking for a Middlesbrough payoff to secure the Hull City deal.

According to Nixon, Seny Dieng is negotiating a payout from Middlesbrough, with the goalkeeper wanting to transfer to Hull in January. However, his contract at Boro is worth just under £25,000 per week, and he needs a substantial compensation to finalize any transaction.

Hull are eager to finalize a deal for the 31-year-old as soon as possible in order to strengthen their goalkeeping ranks, which presently include only Ivor Pandur and Dillon Phillips.

The EFL has already accepted an agreement that would see Dieng make the free transfer to the MKM Stadium, with a loan arrangement unlikely due to the Tigers’ current restrictions.

Indeed, Dieng, who has not played a competitive match since December 2024 after losing his place at The Riverside to Sol Brynn and then missing 10 months due to an Achilles injury, is unlikely to replace Pandur in goal right away, but would provide competition.

When asked about a prospective Dieng move, Hull head coach Jakirovic said, “Ivor (Pandur) is now number one, but he’s (Dieng) a good goalkeeper who has experience in this league, which is very, very important.”

Hull City are eager to do whatever business they can in January to boost their play-off drive under Sergej Jakirovic.

Hull initially faced a transfer embargo until January 2027 due to continued concerns over the club’s financial viability, but appealed the decision, which was eventually lowered to until the summer of 2026.

This prompted the club to be strategic in the summer transfer window, bringing in Oli McBurnie and Semi Ajayi on free transfers, while Joe Gelhardt and John Lundstram joined on loan.

Hull, despite having one of the worst defensive records in the division, sits just outside the play-off places with 41 points after 25 games, the same tally and game played as Watford, who are just ahead of them on goal difference, with their match at the MKM being canceled moments before kick-off at the beginning of the month.

The Tigers’ surprising promotion push has raised eyebrows across the division, forcing teams to stand up and take them seriously, with head coach Jakirovic hoping to lead them back to the top flight this season.

The addition of Dieng is unlikely to have a significant impact, but if Pandur is ruled out for whatever reason, Dieng, who has made 168 second-tier appearances with Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough, is a solid backup option with a wealth of experience that the Bosnian manager will be hoping to put to good use.