Hull City reportedly in talks to sign Italian international

Newly-promoted Hull City are reportedly in discussions to sign Lazio left-back Luca Pellegrini.

Pellegrini has spent the last three-and-a-half seasons at Lazio, while he arrived on permanent basis last summer following an obligation to buy clause in a lengthy loan deal.

He featured 26 times in all competitions for Lazio last season but the club are open to negotiating an exit following the departure of former manager Maurizio Sarri.

Pellegrini's contract expires at the end of next season and the 27-year-old could be available for a cut-price fee.

Italian news outlet TuttoMercato have reported that Pellegrini's future remains unclear as Hull prepare to swoop.

It is claimed that Hull have held 'direct discussions' in an attempt to sign the one-time Italy international, while Como are also believed to be interested.

Pellegrini established a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in Italian football earlier in his career but his development has stuttered in recent years.

After coming through Roma's academy, he moved to Juventus before going out on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, he has never quite been able to establish himself at Lazio in a mixed spell and a move to the Premier League could re-ignite his career.

Hull are naturally looking to strengthen their squad as they prepare for top-flight football following their astonishing promotion from the Championship.

The potential acquisition of Pellegrini for a relatively small fee this summer could prove to be one of the bargains of the transfer window.

Matt Gibbs

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