Hull City, Derby set for january battle over in-form Nigerian striker Durosinmi

Hull City and Derby County are among several English clubs preparing to compete for the signing of Nigerian forward Rafiu Durosinmi in the January transfer window, Sport360NG has learned.

According to Football Insider, both Championship sides have added the Viktoria Plzen striker to their shortlist as they plan further squad strengthening ahead of the second half of the season.

Derby head into the international break buoyed by five straight league victories that have lifted them to 10th place, while Hull sit fifth after an encouraging start. Both clubs overhauled their squads in the summer, Derby investing heavily under John Eustace and Hull rebuilding following a period disrupted by financial embargoes.

Their recruitment plans continue into January, with Durosinmi emerging as a key target. The report also links Oxford United with an interest, while League One outfit Huddersfield Town are said to be considering what has been described as an ambitious move for the striker.

“Hull City, Derby County, Oxford and Huddersfield Town have all registered their interest,” Football Insider wrote.

Durosinmi is entering the final six months of his contract at Plzen, a situation that could make him available for a reduced fee. The report suggests a bid in the region of £5.7m (€6.5m) may be enough to secure his services in January.

The 22-year-old began his career at Box2Box FC in Nigeria before moving to MFK Karvina in 2022. He joined Plzen six months later for around €850,000 and made an immediate impression in the Czech First League, despite two ACL injuries in 2023 and 2024 that sidelined him for nearly 18 months.

He has bounced back strongly this season, scoring 11 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions, including four goals in European matches. At Plzen, he has amassed 33 goals and 10 assists in 80 games, adding to the 10 goals and six assists he recorded in 39 outings for Karvina.

This is the second time in recent weeks that Hull and Derby have been linked with the same player, following reports of mutual interest in Leeds United’s Harry Gray. Their pursuit of Durosinmi highlights both clubs’ desire to strengthen their attacking options as they aim to remain firmly in the play-off race.

Hull are expected to target a long-term solution up front, with Oli McBurnie moving into the later stages of his career, while Derby, already boasting depth in attack, are still open to reinforcing their frontline. Whether either side makes a formal move for Durosinmi will become clearer as the January window approaches.