Ilyas Ansah is undergoing a medical with Hull City after 1. FC Union Berlin accepted a €21 million bid for the forward. The German club will receive €17 million upfront, which would make the Ghanaian their record sale.
Ansah missed training with the Bundesliga side on Wednesday to complete the formalities in England. The deal, once finalised, will surpass the €20 million fee Union Berlin received from Nottingham Forest for Taiwo Awoniyi in 2022.
Rapid profit on Paderborn investment
The proposed transfer represents remarkable business for Union Berlin. The club paid SC Paderborn just €4 million to sign Ansah last summer, meaning they stand to quintuple their investment within 12 months.
During his single season at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, the 22-year-old contributed five goals and three assists in 37 appearances across all competitions. While not prolific in front of goal, his performances evidently convinced Hull City to meet the German club’s valuation.
What the deal means for both clubs
For Union Berlin, the sale would provide substantial funds to reinvest in manager Steffen Baumgart’s squad during the current window. The club have shown a knack for developing and selling attacking talent profitably, with Ansah following Awoniyi as the second major departure in three years.
Hull City, competing in the EFL Championship, are securing a player with top-flight experience in Germany despite his recent step up from the 2. Bundesliga. The medical examination remains the final hurdle before the Tigers can announce what would be one of their most significant signings in recent years.