Hull City Faces Setback as Fortini and David Choose Italy

Hull City’s search for attacking and defensive reinforcements has taken a sharp hit in Italy, with Niccolò Fortini choosing Torino and Jonathan David opting to stay at Juventus.

Fortini picks Torino over Premier League move

Torino have officially announced the signing of versatile full-back Niccolò Fortini from Fiorentina on an initial loan with an option to buy, shutting the door on Hull’s pursuit.

The 20-year-old, capable of operating across the back line, joins the Granata in a deal reported by TMW to be worth €500,000 for the loan, with a €9.5m option to make the move permanent.

Fiorentina had Fortini under contract until June 2027, but extended his deal to 2030 before sending him out to Torino, protecting their asset while giving him a platform for regular Serie A football.

Hull City had been in talks with the Italian defender and were pushing to bring him to the MKM Stadium. Italian reports had already suggested last week that Fortini had made up his mind, and Friday’s confirmation from Torino sealed it: he stays in Serie A, not the Premier League.

David snubs Hull as he commits to Juventus project

If that wasn’t enough, Hull have taken a second hit from Turin.

According to Turin-based outlet Tuttosport, Juventus forward Jonathan David has also turned down an approach from the English club. The Canada international, the report claims, has decided against a move to the MKM Stadium as he looks to continue his career in Turin.

For Hull, it’s a bruising 24 hours in the Italian market. For Torino and Juventus, it’s a clear sign their projects still carry the pull that ambitious Premier League suitors, for now, cannot quite match.