The pre-summer speculation has already begun

The form of Jacob Greaves has been one of the highlights of Hull City’s season so far with the 23-year-old continuing to impress as the Tigers plot a course towards promotion.

Greaves, who clocked up a 35th Championship appearance of the season on Tuesday night in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham City, is being watched by Premier League strugglers Everton, according to the Mirror, who say the relegation-threatened Toffees could be set to lose their own star defender, Jarrad Branthwaite, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur keen.

Hull Live understands Everton are not the only top-flight team keeping tabs on the impressive development of the powerful central defender, who was on England’s Under-21s radar before he slipped out of that age group, and has been watched by a host of top-flight clubs.

City rebuffed Middlesbrough’s advances in summer 2022 when they turned down a £5m bid from the Teesside outfit before he penned a new long-term contract, while vice-chairman Tan Kesler revealed last summer that Italian Serie A giants Roma had been monitoring the Hull-born defender.

No decision over the future of any of their players will be made until the Tigers know which division they will be operating in next season, but Greaves and star winger Jaden Philogene will be the centre of much speculation.

“I have to say first and foremost before we speak about his, his development and his growth is absolutely magnificent. I’m seeing it in front of my eyes. It’s one of the best parts of my job,” Rosenior told Hull Live of Greaves’ eye-catching progress. “He’s becoming a real leader in the dressing room even more so than before. The way he lives, the way he works in the gym, the way he trains is absolutely top. We’re working with him on his temperament.

“He’s still shouting at Daws (Andy Dawson) in training every time he gives a decision against him. And that’s part of his nature because he wants to win. He’s on nine bookings. I don’t want him to change his way of playing. I’ve got Macca (Sean McLouglin) who’s chomping at the bit to play. That’s why you need a squad, but he’s been magnificent for us and he’s a huge part of things for us. He’s key for us actually, in terms of being successful this season.”