Hull City paper talk: Manchester United ready to loan Adnan Januzaj to Tigers? Hatem Ben Arfa in talks with Nice

Our daily blog with the latest news, transfer rumours and gossip about Hull City in the Premier League.

HDM Sport on Facebook AFTER Paul Merson suggested that Hull City could benefit from a player like Adnan Januzaj in the coming transfer window, Louis van Gaal has fanned the flames by suggesting he would be open to sending the Belgian international out on loan. The Daily Mail reports that, while van Gaal believes the 19-year-old has a future at Old Trafford, the Dutch boss is considering sending the forward out on loan until the end of the season to gain some much needed first team experience. However, despite Steve Bruce's long-standing links with United, he'll face a big test in persuading Januzaj to join a struggling Tigers outfit.Everton are also interested in the Belgian, while former Manchester United boss David Moyes is looking to bring him to Real Sociedad, while Roberto Mancini is looking to entice the winger to join him at Inter Milan. After the disappointing loan stint of Hatem Ben Arfa, a creative player would be top of Bruce's Christmas wish-list and Januzaj would certainly fit the bill. Hatem Ben Arfa in advanced talks with OGC Nice SPEAKING of the enigmatic Frenchman, it looks as though his stay in English football might finally be at an end. Hatem Ben Arfa has already been told he's played his last game for Hull City and parent club Newcastle United, and now he seems to have headed back home in an attempt to kick-start a faltering career. According to French television station Canal+, Ben Arfa is in advanced talks with OGC Nice over a possible free transfer in January. The winger is working with a personal trainer in a bid to improve his fitness, a fact that begs the question why that kind of dedication wasn't on display during his time at the KC Stadium. Young Tigers Matthew Dixon and Jonny Margetts to join Gainsborough on loan FOLLOWING their goal-scoring heroics last night at Mansfield, Hull City academy stars Matthew Dixon and Jonny Margetts are expected to head out on loan over the Christmas period for vital minutes. Conference North side Gainsborough Town are the destination lined up for the pair, with captain Dixon and striker Margetts having the prospect of facing North Ferriby United twice– first on Boxing Day and again on New Years Day. Confirmation of the loan move is expected to go through today, as the Tigers Academy boys do not have a fixture in all competitions lined up until January 6 at Rotherham United.

Good 2-0 win by the lads and good to get a goal! Looking forward to spending a bit of time with my family over Christmas now! ??

— Jonathon Margetts (@JonoMargetts) December 22, 2014

Sunderland to welcome back Billy Jones for City clash IT'S not just Hull City who are sweating over their defence ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Sunderland. The North East outfit had to play with four central defenders during their derby win on Sunday. But there could be better news for Gus Poyet and his team as they look set to welcome back Billy Jones for City's visit. Poyet told the Sunderland Echo: "There were a few things we did to make sure that all the steps were right. "Billy's is a hamstring problem, so there is a level that you cannot get over because there is a risk. "You can train, but not to the standards of being able to play very quickly. "So, yes, we've been careful, but I think he could be close for Boxing Day." Meanwhile Poyet admits that he faces something of an unknown entity when Steve Bruce brings his side to the Stadium of Light, having spent a lot of the last few weeks carefully studying Newcastle United for the derby victory. "To be honest, I watched Newcastle a lot, but I've only watched Hull in a couple of games," Poyet told the Echo. "This week is going to be an interesting one to really concentrate on what they've been doing. "They've been missing players, so it's a different approach to Newcastle."