Well, we didn't see this one coming. According to a bizarre report in the Mirror this evening, Hull City are set to make a shock move to land Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, smashing their own transfer record in the process.
The England international has apparently been told that his "chances of first-team action will be limited" under Louis van Gaal, and Hull manager Steve Bruce would like to capitalise on the situation with an opportunistic £14 million bid. Bruce has worked with Welbeck before, when he guided Sunderland -- and loanee Welbeck -- to a mid-table finish in the 2010-11 season.
This rumour sounds so absurd that there actually could well be something to the report. It's not really the type of thing you'd expect sources to make up on the spur of the moment. His departure would be sad news for a fair few United fans, and in particular those who feel there's something to be celebrated in a local lad making it at his hometown club.
What's more, Welbeck has stood in for the injury-prone, unfit Robin van Persie admirably in pre-season, with his mobility and link-up play helping United to their string of victories. If the rumours really are true, then who does van Gaal plan on using as a back-up in attack? Adnan Januzaj? Javier Hernández? Things are starting to look a little thin up top. Perhaps it should be taken with a pinch of salt, after all ...