George Honeyman contract latest as Hull City make key move

Hull City hope George Honeyman will accept the club's latest contract deal, despite him turning down the initial terms offered by the Championship club earlier this summer.

The influential playmaker saw the Tigers take up the option year on his deal which was set to end this month, meaning he's contracted at the MKM Stadium until next summer, though City are keen for that to be extended beyond 2023.

The Tigers have offered improved terms after the 26-year-old rejected the deal on the table, with owner Acun Ilicali and head coach Shota Arveladze both seeing Honeyman as a vital part of the squad next season, with talks set to continue with an expectation that an agreement will be found.

City are understood to be relaxed about the situation knowing Honeyman has a further 12 months at the club, and will be patient with their star man, who is also keen to remain at City and guide them back to the Premier League. Talks are also set to continue with goalkeeper Matt Ingram. The 28-year-old goalkeeper is seen as an important part of the squad for next season's Championship campaign, while there remains a desire to bring Nathan Baxter back to the club from Chelsea, though at this stage it looks more likely to be a loan than a permanent deal.

"For me, not only his playing quality but his character, too," Ilicali said. "Every time I see him on the pitch I see a person who is fighting for the team, sometimes getting himself into trouble. He's a very important character and I want him to stay. I want him to stay being happy. We showed him how much we want him to stay, it's his decision. If George is happy with us we will do everything to make him stay. I've had warm conversations with him, as a character, he's the type of guy I want