Exclusive: Wrexham and Derby County make moves to sign John Egan
Stoke City, Derby County and Wrexham are racing to sign Hull City defender John Egan, sources have told Football Insider.
The Championship trio have all registered their interest in the 32-year-old, who impressed for Hull in the second half of last season following his arrival from Burnley in January for an undisclosed fee.
Egan could be available for a minimal fee due to the East Yorkshire club’s ongoing financial issues, after Hull were sanctioned with a transfer embargo concerning loan payments to Aston Villa last season.
The Republic of Ireland international made 11 appearances for Hull to help the Tigers secure survival in the Championship, as Ruben Selles steered the side to safety above Luton Town on goal difference.
Egan sparks three-way transfer chase after Hull City success
Egan spent six seasons at Sheffield United between 2018 and 2024 and twice helped steer the Blades to Premier League promotion, and his top-flight credentials also attracted several suitors last summer.
Football Insider revealed in September that West Ham had taken Egan on a trial period last summer as they looked to build on a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League, prior to his move to Burnley.
Hull have already sanctioned the exits of several players including left-back Matty Jacob on a season-long loan to Reading, and could lose another defender in Egan as the race to sgin him intensifies.
Wrexham, Derby ambitions made clear as Egan move identified
Signing a centre-back with recent experience of a relegation battle makes plenty of sense for Stoke and Derby, who finished 18th and 19th in last year’s Championship with just 51 and 50 points respectively.
Wrexham are firmly on the rise after their promotion from League One and have already secured the signings of Danny Ward and Ryan Hardie, with a view to strengthening the spine of their team.
The Red Dragons are yet to complete a headline-grabbing signing despite being in talks to beat Rangers to Jamie Vardy’s signature, and Egan’s would certainly be one signature which could benefit Wrexham as they navigate their first season in the Championship.