Following the confusion over Jack Hobbs’ future with Nottingham Forest, owner and chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi has announced he has agreed a deal with Hull City
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The Football League are believed to have confirmed that Hobbs could not sign a pre-contract agreement with the Reds, despite claims to the contrary, and it appears Forest have agreed a fee with Hull to keep the defender until the end of the season.
English football currently has an exemption to the FIFA transfer regulation which allows a player in the last year of his contract to begin negotiations, or even sign, with another club six months before his deal expires.
Steve Bruce said on Saturday that Hobbs would be recalled after the Tigers accepted an offer from Reading, thought to be around £600,000.
The Hull manager said: “Forest have to match the Reading offer. We have had a substantial offer from Reading and ultimately the ball is in Jack’s hands. But Forest have to come to the table and play ball with us.
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“It is as simple as that. We let him go to Forest on loan because there were doubts over his knee. He has gone there and done ever so well. But, if they think they are getting him for nothing, we have a decision to make.
“My job is to look after the club and, if somebody is offering us a bit of money – a lot of money – then we have to look at it.”
Hobbs joined the Reds last July on a season-long loan with a view to signing a two-year deal this summer when his contract with Hull expired. He’s the only outfield player to have played in every league game this season, although could miss the next fortnight with a hamstring injury picked up in the 1-1 draw with Bolton at the weekend.
Following the new two-and-a-half year deal for Andy Reid, and the offer of an improved contract to Jamaal Lascelles, Forest are hoping to ensure this season’s key players remain at the club.