Hibs transfer necessities ranked ahead of summer window: Where signings may be made and potential targets

The summer transfer window is almost around the corner at Hibs and business will already be on the agenda at Easter Road.

June 15 is the day this summer’s recruitment period officially kicks off but the likes of sporting director Malky Mackay’s planning will already be well underway. Just Elie Youan left the club at the end of the 25/26 season on top of loan players like Dan Barlaser, meaning head coach David Gray has a settled core at his disposal ahead of July’s Conference League second round qualifiers.

Speaking in the second half of the season, Gray said of transfer window planning at Hibs: “The summer's going to come very quickly. As you've just touched on, we've got a few players that are playing that are on loan, what their situation is. And there's conversations going on all the time as you'd expect. And we certainly will and are continuing to look at the squad and future plan as early as you can because we're constantly chasing, trying to say: ‘Can we get everybody in on day one?’

“That never happens, naturally. But the earlier you can do your business, it puts you in a better position, the quicker you can get your ideas over to new players in pre-season. Or even just retain players that you want to keep around the club, for whatever that looks like. I think there is still a core of the group that are under contract, which is good because you're not starting afresh again with new ideas, with new players. You've got that core.”

So with planning months in advance, Hibs likely have an idea of where they’d like to do business in the summer, but where will that be? We rank each position from zero being absolutely no need to 10 requiring urgent attention to see where Gray and co could bolster his squad ahead of the 26/27 season.

Goalkeeper - 0/10

Raphael Sallinger is as solid a number one Hibs have had since the days of Ofir Marciano. He will stick about as long as he likes at Easter Road and Jordan Smith is an able deputy. The former Nottingham Forest man was the main man en-route to finishing third in the Premiership last year and filling in like he did against Hearts at the back end of the season showed he can cover when needed. Murray Johnson is a promising prospect but a loan could beckon again for him, as minutes for his development are key.

Right-wing-back - 0/10

We are basing this list of Gray’s preferred three at the back system but this category can also apply should he go with four. Felix Passlack was an excellent winter addition who’s cemented this spot as his own. Kanayo Megwa benefitted from the senior minutes he had when asked to play during a full season with Gray’s team but it leaves question marks over former Player of the Year winner Chris Cadden after recent injuries. Well stocked here and no need to shop.

Centre-back - 10/10

Munashe Garananga has left the club at the end of his loan and there’s yet to be a diagnosis on how bad Rocky Bushiri’s injury is. That leaves Grant Hanley, Warren O’Hora and Jack Iredale as natural options with Jordan Obita able to play left-sided centre-back. If Bushiri is to be missing for a period of time, this becomes urgent, particularly with Hanley needing extra time off after the World Cup. Arguably three here wouldn’t go amiss and already the talk of ex-St Johnstone captain Jason Kerr is doing the rounds on the rumour mill after the boyhood Hibee’s exit from Wigan Athletic.

Left-wing-back - 3/10

Links to Polish left-back Jakub Lewicki seem slightly peculiar given how strong a core Obita and Nicky Cadden are. However, keeping the latter fully fit has sometimes been a balancing act, and Obita’s departure to the Africa Cup of Nations showed how light they quickly could be. Megwa and Jamie McGrath capable of playing here too though so not a glaring area of need.

Central midfield - 8/10

Let’s break it down into a six, an eight, and a number 10. Miguel Chaiwa can screen the back four in an energetic sense but Gray has already confirmed talks with Barlaser over making his loan from Middlesbrough permanent. He can do that role in a more technical sense just like Joe Newell. At number eight, Josh Mulligan and Chaiwa are strong contenders, alongside Jamie McGrath and Josh Campbell. McGrath is the number 10 solution so it would appear a number six and a playmaker could be needed with Kai Andrews another loan exit.

Wingers - 6/10

Not a necessity for a three at the back system but would be good to have at least a couple for flexibility? Someone like Youan who can do a job in wider areas and also in a front pairing would be good. His exit means the only person in that kind of mould is Martin Boyle but he has been more of a central forward in recent years.

Striker - 6/10

Thibault Klidje is back but whether or not he sticks about is another matter. That leaves Boyle alongside winter recruits Owen Elding and Ante Suto up top. Dane Scarlett was on loan from Tottenham so an extra one to make sure enough depth is there wouldn’t hurt. Elding and Boyle appear likely starters though.

Verdict

Based off our assessment, central defence is the most urgent need. A few in that position will be needed but it could reduce in size if Bushiri’s injury isn’t too severe. Barlaser could help their options in midfield but one more is likely needed on top of that. Then a couple of forward-thinking players at the top end should flesh out what is already a largely settled team. It’ll be busy, but perhaps not as busy as recent windows, which is a good thing for stability.