Rangers couldn’t get there.
Cardiff City had a club-record offer on the table.
And both of them have been beaten to the punch.
By a newly-promoted side who had one advantage neither of their rivals could match.
Premier League football.
Hull City set to complete £8.5m signing of Tromso’s Jens Hjerto-Dahl as Premier League status proves decisive
According to the Daily Mail, Hull City are set to beat Rangers and Cardiff City to the signing of Hjerto-Dahl, with Norwegian reports suggesting an agreement between Hull and Tromso is close to completion at a fee in the region of £8.5 million.
Rangers had been the early frontrunners.
Derek McInnes’ side had a bid of around £5 million rejected, and ultimately withdrew from the race when it became clear they could not match Tromso’s asking price.
Cardiff City tabled what would have been a club-record offer in an attempt to land him for the Championship.
It wasn’t enough.
Because Hull City can offer something neither club can.
Hjerto-Dahl himself made no attempt to hide his interest when his name was first linked with the Tigers, speaking positively about the Premier League as a destination.
That enthusiasm has done nothing to harm Hull’s chances.
The 20-year-old is one of the most exciting young midfielders in Scandinavian football.
A 6ft 4in central midfielder who combines physical presence with genuine technical quality.
Five goals and three assists in the Norwegian top flight this season.
Seven caps at Under-21 level for Norway.
A player whose development attracted scouting attention over the past twelve months before the race to sign him intensified.
Tromso boss Jorgen Vik acknowledged publicly what everyone already knew.
“I think everyone would be tempted by the Premier League,” he said.
However, an agreement is close.
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