City are working on a number of deals with a hope three or four will be done and dusted by the time Tim Walter's side kick off their assault on the Championship next Saturday at home to Bristol City, with another flurry before the end of the month.
Boss Walter knows he needs nine players at the very least to give his squad depth and quality, and Ilicali has responded by backing the demands of his new manager. The Tigers have so far added Ryan Giles and Cody Drameh to their squad, but their lack of quality and depth has been apparent throughout pre-season, with staff working around the clock to try and get deals completed.
West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante and Marvin Mehlem were both
at the MKM Stadium on Tuesday night to watch the Tigers roar back from 2-0 down to earn a positive 2-2 draw with Italian giants Fiorentina. Thomas-Sante has performed a major U-turn at the eleventh hour and looks set to join Coventry City but a permanent deal for Mehlem is close to being announced. City have got other irons in the fire after missing out on Thomas-Asante. Attacking midfielder Mehlem will join from German side SV Darmstadt for an undisclosed six-figure fee.
Ecuador midfield starlet Oscar Zambrano was left out of L.D.U. Quito's game on Tuesday night as he flew to England to complete the formalities of his move from South America in what's viewed as a significant coup for the Championship club. The youngster, who came through the same academy as Chelsea star Moises Caicedo, has been tracked by a host of clubs and City feel they've got their man, with him expected to pen a long-term deal.
Defender Charlie Hughes remains a top target and City continue to talk with Wigan Athletic in the hope of making a significant breakthrough this week while discussions have been held with former
Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna. The Scotsman's wage demands are not insignificant and still make a deal difficult at this stage, but talks with the 27-year-old have been ongoing all summer.
City believe they have a strong chance of snapping up the powerful central defender, though there's no shortage of interest in the left-sided player and it remains to be seen how that one develops in the coming days and weeks.
Another player City want is Liam Millar. Having impressed on loan at Preston North End last term with five goals and five assists in 35 games. Again, talks are ongoing with FC Basel over getting the Canadian international to the MKM Stadium.
A goalkeeper remains a top priority and while the club have one on trial this week, it's not thought he will compete for a place in the first team, with the club considering potential options. Marek Rodak is a player Walter likes, but it appears he will move to Saudi Arabia from Fulham.
Elsewhere, City will use the loan market just as they did this summer, but it's likely any arrivals from the Premier League will largely come later in August once top-flight clubs have finalised their squads following the opening weekend of their respective campaigns, but they do have an interest in Leicester City's Kasey McAteer, Liverpool's James McConnell and Manchester City midfielder Alex Robertson.