In the January 2014 transfer window, numerous clubs approached Blackpool to enquire about signing Ince, who held talks with Everton, Cardiff, Newcastle, Hull City, Sunderland, Stoke City, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and his former club Liverpool again.
[41][42][43][44] However, Ince once again spurned Liverpool's advances, believing that he was not ready to move to a club of their size.
[45] European clubs
Ajax,
Inter Milan and
Paris Saint-Germain also revealed their interest
[42][46] and French club Monaco were reported to be leading the race to sign Ince on a free transfer in the Summer,
[47] with minimal compensation due to Blackpool if he did sign for a European club, around £155,000 compared to an expected £4m if he signed for an English club.
[42] Ince and his father met with representatives from Monaco in London on 16 January, just two days before Blackpool's 2–0 defeat to Barnsley, which was believed to be one of the reasons for Paul Ince being sacked as Blackpool manager.
With his contract expiring at Blackpool and Ince unwilling to take up the option of a third year, clubs began to show an interest in signing him. Crystal Palace,
Hull City,
Newcastle United,
Stoke City,
Sunderland and Swansea City from the Premier League and European clubs
Monaco,
Olympiacos and Inter Milan all expressed a desire to sign him.
[51][52] Inter Milan, a club Ince's father had played for from 1995 to 1997, confirmed in May 2014 that they had offered Ince a contract
[53][54] and he spent several days in Monaco and then Milan discussing a move
[51] but ultimately turned both Monaco and Inter Milan down.
[52] He said that "after lengthy discussions with my family I have decided that my immediate future in the game lies in the Premier League" although he "still ha[d] ambitions to one day play in Europe".
[52] In September 2015, he would go into more detail, saying that although there was "nothing better" than the lifestyle in Monaco, he "felt the league itself and the question 'would I get lost over there?' especially being English, put me off a little." Likewise, although the history and memories from his father's time at Inter Milan were attractive, the club was in a transitional period – "they weren't trying to challenge up at the top again, and it was a rebuilding process. Being a young lad, I didn't want any of that, I wanted to get in the Premier League."
[55]
After his contract expired at Blackpool, Ince transferred to Hull City on a free transfer in July 2014 and signed a two-year contract, with an agreement over compensation not initially made.
[56][57] After much negotiation, and with a decision by an independent tribunal looming, Hull and Blackpool settled in January 2015 on a figure of £1.6 million, rising to £2.3 million, dependant on appearances and if Hull avoided relegation.
[15][58] Due to the earlier sell-on clause Liverpool had negotiated with Blackpool, Liverpool received £560,000.
