Hull City are exploring a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo, with the Blues prepared to sanction a temporary departure for the Portuguese youngster this summer.
According to Ben Jacobs via X, Hull have expressed interest in bringing the 21-year-old to the club following their promotion to the Premier League. However, they face potential competition from RC Strasbourg, who are also considering taking Essugo on loan.
Chelsea signed Essugo from Sporting CP for around £18 million in 2025, but his first season at Stamford Bridge was severely disrupted by injury. The midfielder managed only six appearances after requiring surgery on a quadriceps problem, limiting his opportunities to establish himself in Chelsea’s first team.
With regular minutes potentially difficult to secure under Xabi Alonso this season, Chelsea are now willing to allow Essugo to continue his development elsewhere.
Hull explore Premier League opportunity
A move to Hull could provide Essugo with the chance to remain in England and gain valuable Premier League experience. Having returned to the top flight, Hull are looking to strengthen their squad before the transfer deadline and Essugo’s defensive qualities, physicality and potential make him an intriguing midfield option.
Crucially, Chelsea are considering only a temporary departure at this stage rather than a permanent sale, suggesting the club still see a future for the Portugal youth international at Stamford Bridge and Strasbourg nevertheless represent another realistic destination.
The Ligue 1 club share ownership links with Chelsea through BlueCo and have regularly conducted transfer business with the London side. However, there is a complication surrounding the number of Chelsea players Strasbourg can accommodate. They reportedly have room for only one more arrival from Stamford Bridge and could wait until the closing stages of the window before deciding how to use that position.
Mykhailo Mudryk has also been proposed as a potential loan option, meaning Essugo may have to wait for Strasbourg to determine their priorities.
Essugo needs regular football
After an injury-hit campaign, the priority for Essugo will be finding a club capable of providing consistent playing time. Both a Premier League season with Hull and a move to Strasbourg would offer opportunities to rebuild his fitness and continue his development away from the intense competition at Chelsea.
Hull could be a particularly attractive destination if they can offer Essugo meaningful Premier League minutes. Chelsea’s willingness to sanction only a loan indicates they have not given up on a player they invested heavily in just a year ago. After losing much of last season to injury, Essugo needs games more than anything else. Strasbourg remain a logical alternative, but their limited loan capacity could give Hull an opening to move quickly and secure a potentially valuable addition.
