Dário Essugo to Hull City
This move fell through. Last report: Fabrizio Romano, 1 September 2026.
Earlier read, written at an earlier stage of this story: Hull City are in talks to sign Dário Essugo from Chelsea, with the framing very much a loan rather than a permanent transfer. Chelsea are willing to sanction a temporary exit for the 21-year-old Portugal Under-21 midfielder, and the player himself is understood to prefer staying in the Premier League over joining Chelsea's sister club, Strasbourg. This is early. No fee and no terms have been agreed, and the numbers being floated sit in the €24m to €34m range against a market value nearer €15m. The reporting here is solid. Ben Jacobs first carried the exclusive that Hull were exploring a loan move, and Nizaar Kinsella has since confirmed the talks remain live and added the detail about Essugo favouring the Premier League. Both are reliable, well-placed voices, so this is credible rather than idle chatter, even if it is still only at the talks stage. As it stands, this is against the odds. Chelsea are open to it and the player leans towards Hull, which helps, but nothing is locked in and Strasbourg remains a genuine alternative destination. For Hull to get it over the line, they need to settle terms and see off that Strasbourg route. Right now the pieces are not yet in place. Hull have shown they can do business at this level, having signed a player from Olympiacos for €23m in 2026. Essugo himself arrived at Chelsea from Sporting for €22m in 2025, so the money in the conversation is in keeping. Watch for agreed loan terms and whether Strasbourg firm up their own approach, which would force the issue.
Who reported it
- Fabrizio Romano, 1 September 2026: 🚨🐯 Hull City are NOT expected to proceed with Dario Essugo deal from Chelsea — currently off. Follows decision to sign Tim Iroegbunam as exclusively revealed yesterday. #hcafc ht
- Nizaar Kinsella, 1 September 2026: Essugo's move to Hull City is now thought to be off. It follows the Tigers signing Tim Iroegbunam from Everton. He will likely stay at Chelsea or go to Strasbourg in the final inte
- Nizaar Kinsella, 31 August 2026: Hull City remain in talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo. The Portugal Under-21 international is believed to prefer a move within the Premier League to joining Chelsea's s
- Ben Jacobs, 22 August 2026: 🚨 Exclusive: Hull City are exploring a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo. Chelsea are prepared to sanction a temporary exit. Along with Premier League interest, a loan
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