Gent face transfer speculation over duo ahead of Hibs as new Easter Road recruit shares Leith move reasons
Hibs have been busy on the transfer front ahead of Gent while the Belgians deal with transfer speculation.
Gent are dealing with transfer speculation over two stars ahead of their clash with Hibs this week - as Jacob Devaney discusses why he’s moved to Easter Road.
The Premiership side face Belgian opposition in leg two of their Conference League play-off on Thursday night after a 0-0 draw away from home. Attacking duo Max Dean and Hyllarion Goore have both played their part in Gent’s qualifying campaign so far in search of the league phase and are in head coach Rik De Mil’s UEFA squad list for the match in Leith this Thursday.
Both could be on their way out though with it reported by transfer journalist Pete O’Rourke that Dean is in ‘advancing’ in talks with Bolton Wanderers. He was linked with the English Championship side earlier this summer after joining Gent from MK Dons in 2024 but could opt for a move closer to home. Dean has 20 goals in 56 Gent matches after six regular term league strikes across 15 games in a disrupted 25/26 campaign.
Who could Hibs rivals lose ahead of Easter Road?
Teammate Goore meanwhile was rumoured to be on Ligue 1 side Marseille’s radar earlier this summer but new claims out of France suggest Serie A’s Fiorentina are a likelier destination. They are keen to sign Goore ahead of the transfer deadline after a standout debut campaign at Gent following his spell with Armenian side Ararat Yerevan. Goore bagged six goals with five assists last term.
Devaney is the latest summer recruit at Hibs after joining on loan from Manchester United and he has explained why the move is right for him after spending time last term with fellow Premiership team St Mirren. The Manchester United loanee said to club media of his move to the capital: “I'm really excited to be here. I've been in training the last two days and I've really enjoyed it. The feel of the club, the training ground, I've really enjoyed it since I've been here.
“I think the size of the club really. Last year, I think I've said it before, coming here to Easter Road Stadium, I was shocked at the size of the club when I first came here. So definitely, thinking back to playing here last year, it played a big part in me coming here and obviously the European competition as well.
Jacob Devaney on signing for Hibs on loan from Manchester United
“Hopefully on Thursday night we can qualify for that. I'm here to do well, be successful and push for titles. I really enjoyed it (at St Mirren). I think I've said it was definitely the right decision for me to come up and play in Scotland. I think I suit the style of play up here in Scotland and definitely I see Hibs being the next step in my journey in terms of that.
“That's the reason why I wanted to get out and play first team football because I knew I could do the technical side and I was a good tactical player to coach. I also felt like physically I was ready to come and play in a first team and I'm glad that's the decision I took.”