Croatian Forward Franjo Ivanović Nears Transfer to Hull City from Benfica

Croatian striker Franjo Ivanović is on the verge of a significant career move, with reports indicating a transfer from Portuguese club Benfica to England's Hull City is in the final stages. Portuguese outlet Record suggests that both clubs are finalizing the details of the agreement, which is expected to be a loan deal with a mandatory purchase clause.

Benfica is poised to make a substantial profit from Ivanović's departure. The Lisbon club acquired the forward last summer from Union Saint-Gilloise for 22.8 million euros. Now, they stand to recoup their investment and potentially earn at least 25 million euros if the transfer becomes permanent. The specific conditions and criteria for the permanent transfer are currently being defined.

Ivanović, 22, did not manage to establish himself as a first-team regular during his first season in Portugal. He made 42 appearances across all competitions but often played second fiddle to Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis, scoring nine goals and providing two assists. This limited playing time has opened the door for his departure this summer, with several clubs reportedly showing interest.

While clubs like Betis, Galatasaray, and Como were previously linked with Ivanović, Hull City appears to be the frontrunner. A move to Hull could also mean a reunion with Sergej Jakirović, who managed Ivanović during his successful stint at Croatian club Rijeka. Ivanović's career path has seen him develop through youth academies in Austria and Germany before making a name for himself in Croatia and Belgium, where he was a key player in Union Saint-Gilloise's league title win.