Hull City’s move for Aston Villa’s Jamaican winger Leon Bailey has hit another snag, with Tigers Manager Sergej Jakirovic questioning the player’s commitment, while the winger’s representative insists negotiations are still active.

The potential transfer appeared to be making steady progress, with Hull owner Acun Ilıcalı previously indicating the deal was around 70 per cent complete. However, talks have encountered fresh difficulties.

Jakirovic expressed frustration over the situation, making it clear that any new signing must be fully committed to the club following their return to the English Premier League.

“If I need to beg somebody to join us, to play for Hull City in the Premier League, then it is better to stay and don’t come,” Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside on Tuesday. “Because if you don’t feel this club, that you can help us and sacrifice for the team — not just Leon Bailey but in general — then it is better to stay in your club and we will try and find somebody else.”

Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey (right) challenges Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva during their English Premier League football match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on Sunday, May 24. (Photo: AFP)

Addressing the current status of the deal, Jakirovic said, “What I know, today, it’s off. But also, it was off three weeks ago and then again on.”

Despite his comments, Bailey’s representative, Craig Butler, stated that talks have not broken off completely and that other clubs remain in contact.

“We’re in the middle of negotiations with several clubs, and we’re looking at our options,” Butler told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday. “Hull is a very good club and are very interested, but we have details that have to be worked out.”

Bailey’s 2025-26 campaign was a split season divided between a loan spell in Italy’s Serie A and a mid-season return to the Premier League. He spent the first half of the season on loan with AS Roma starting in August 2025, where he made 11 total appearances — seven in Serie A, three in the UEFA Europa League, and one in the Coppa Italia — registering no goals and two assists during his time in Rome.

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic looks on during their English Championship play-off final football match against Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, May 23. (Photo: AFP)

Due to limited game time in Italy because of injuries, his loan was cut short, and Aston Villa recalled him in January to add attacking depth for the second half of their campaign.

Following his return to Aston Villa, Bailey featured in 19 matches across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing one assist. His workload at Villa included 13 Premier League appearances (contributing one assist and logging 452 minutes), five UEFA Europa League appearances (where he scored one goal), and one FA Cup fixture. Notable highlights included playing 90 minutes in Villa’s 2-1 final-day Premier League victory over Manchester City.

In total, across both AS Roma and Aston Villa, Bailey concluded the 2025-26 season with 30 total appearances, two goals, and three assists. Though overall goal contributions were modest compared to previous campaigns, his versatility allowed Unai Emery to rotate personnel effectively through Villa’s domestic and European fixtures.

Hull remain in the market for attacking reinforcements before the transfer window closes, but Jakirovic’s statements signal that the club will only move forward if the player is fully committed to the move.