Daily rumours from the press as Hull City prepare for life in the Premier League.May 16
Notice how transfer rumours go around in circles? Just when we're expecting the nationals to confidently assert Hull City are about to offer a lifeline to a raft of Wigan players - Shaun Maloney anyone? - they're stuck on a potential move for Kasper Schmeichel.
As reported in yesterday's Mail, Leicester's Schmeichel and Sheffield Wednesday's Chris Kirkland are being considered by Steve Bruce as alternatives to Fulham's £3m-rated David Stockdale.
Today's Sun says West Ham and Swansea are also in for Schmeichel, but the Tigers have the edge because Bruce is best mates with the 26-year-old stopper's dad.
Meanwhile, Egyptian football website KingFut.com has quoted Al-Ahly football director Sayed Abdul-Hafiz as saying Gedo and Ahmed Fathi will be staying in Cairo next season. City's interest in the duo - signed on six-month loan deals - is known to have faded, despite Gedo's initial goal blitz.
And goal.com has done some analysis on just what the right frontman could mean to City. The football website suggests Coral odds of 10/11 to avoid relegation would be good value if Bruce can bring in a proven goalscorer, given the Tigers' strong defensive record last term. May 15
Today's Lancashire Telegraph stokes up the Charlie Austin from Burnley rumours.
The Telegraph says Austin can be Hull City's for £4m but is behind Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes on Steve Bruce's wish-list.
But Rhodes, the nephew of Tigers assistant boss Steve Agnew, will be too expensive for City, with Rovers looking for a fee of at least £10m.
With City putting the emphasis on sensible spending this summer, that sort of valuation would need to drop for a move to be viable.
Scotland international Rhodes scored 29 goals for Blackburn last term. He is said to earn a reported £45,000 a week but lacks Premier League experience.
Sunderland would consider Austin a snip at £4m and Paulo Di Canio is lining up a summer move, according to The Sun today.
Meanwhile, Philip Buckingham reports in today's Mail that Steve Bruce is prepared to cast a wider net in his search for a new goalkeeper. David Stockdale could still return to the KC after his successful loan spell last season, but Fulham may well have to lower their £3m valuation.
The Tigers are set to hold talks with a number of out-of-contract players this week and will decide on the futures of Liam Rosenior and Jay Simpson. An improved deal for James Chester is also in the pipeline.
And Gedo has told journalists in Cairo that he wants to stay at Hull City for Premier League campaign.May 14
Burnley boss Sean Dyche accepts he may not be able to keep hold of hot-shot striker Charlie Austin, the Burnley Express reports today.
Austin, 23, has been repeatedly linked with the Tigers after scoring 28 times for the Clarets last term.
Burnley have "no desire" to sell Austin, who has a year left on his contract, but will treat any offers on their merits.
Dyche said: "Someone will probably, not definitely, put in an offer and if that offer's deemed appropriate for that player at any given time the board will decide whether it's appropriate or not (to sell)."
City are also keen on Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes according to today's Daily Mirror - and will offer £4m - half what Rovers paid for him.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph says Steve Bruce is determined to keep hold of star defender James Chester amid strong interest from Aston Villa.
Chester, who has a year left on his contract, was linked with Villa in January, prompting Bruce to tell The Mail it would take "ridiculous money" to persuade him to sell.• Is Jay Simpson worth an extra £500,000? That's what The Daily Mail claims Hull City will have to pay Arsenal after promotion to the Premier League triggered a clause in the former Gunner's contract. The Sun says City owe the Emirates club half that - at £250,000.May 13Sky Sports is sticking its neck out today. It "understands" Hull City are among a number of clubs "thought to be monitoring" Leicester City midfielder Andy King.
King, 24, was a key player for the Foxes in their run to the play-off semi-final - scoring seven goals along the way.
He could be ready for a step up after Nigel Pearson's side narrowly missed out to Watford on a Wembley final.May 11The Mirror claims Hull City are competing with Cardiff and Swiss giants FC Basel for the signature of Nigerian left-back Juwon Oshaniwa.
The 22-year-old - a member of the Nigeria squad that won the African Cup of Nations - is set to leave Israeli club FC Ashdod this summer.May 10David Stockdale has told today's Mail he remains unsure if he will play for Hull City in the Premier League.
The Fulham stopper - who spent the second half of last season on loan with the Tigers - is quoted in today's 'We Are Premier League' 24-page season review special - free inside your Mail.
Fulham appear open to the prospect of Stockdale leaving Craven Cottage but the price they place on the goalkeeper's head is likely to be decisive.
"First it's a holiday and a bit of reflection," said Stockdale. "I'll take a lot of friends and good memories with me back to London.
"If something happens then so be it but, if not, I'll wish them all the best in the Premier League."
No doubt until the Stockdale situation in resolved, City will continue to be linked with almost every goalkeeper in world football. The latest rumour has Barnsley's Luke Steele rejecting a new contract at Oakwell in favour of the KC.
Earlier this week, The Mirror was convinced Steve Bruce was ready to swoop for Genk's Polish keeper Grzegorz Sandomierski, who has been on loan at Blackburn.
Meanwhile, Scotland's Daily Record is continuing to grind the George Boyd to Celtic rumour - although the paper does admit it has "a whiff of the Jimmy Bullard/Sol Campbell about it".May 9Chris Kirkland is happy to stay at Sheffield Wednesday - despite being linked with a move to Hull City, the Sheffield Star reports today.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper has poured cold water on rumours he could return to the Premier League - if the Tigers are priced out of a move for Fulham's £4m-rated David Stockdale.
No approach has been made for the former Liverpool man, according to The Star.
Kirkland - considered a gamble because of his history of injuries - says: "It's a big club and they have looked after me from day one. I've loved it here."
Portsmouth are set to sign Tigers defender Sonny Bradley, according to Sky Sports.
Bradley, 21, came through City's youth system but is out of contract this summer.
He gained experience on loan at Aldershot last season.
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce has played down rumours he is considering a move for Birmingham defender Curtis Davies.
Bruce told Radio Humberside he had yet to look at any potential transfer targets.
Exclusive to our new site hulldailymail.co.uk• Peter Swan on how Steve Bruce will rebuild Hull City for Premier League• Complete coverage of the promotion party
May 8 Steve Bruce is preparing a £3m bid for Birmingham's player of the season Curtis Davies, according to The Telegraph. The paper quotes defender Davies, 28, as saying: "I would never hide the fact that I want to play in the Premier League. I believe my ability should have me there, I believe I'm good enough." Bruce could face competition from Stoke and Norwich. Londoner Davies began his senior career at Luton Town. He has played in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, where he made 37 appearances between 2007-2010. He has been at Birmingham since 2011. He was a shock selection in Fabio Capello's first provisional England squad.
Exclusive to our new site hulldailymail.co.uk• Peter Swan on how Steve Bruce will rebuild Hull City for Premier League• Complete coverage of the promotion party
May 8 Steve Bruce is preparing a £3m bid for Birmingham's player of the season Curtis Davies, according to The Telegraph. The paper quotes defender Davies, 28, as saying: "I would never hide the fact that I want to play in the Premier League. I believe my ability should have me there, I believe I'm good enough." Bruce could face competition from Stoke and Norwich. Londoner Davies began his senior career at Luton Town. He has played in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, where he made 37 appearances between 2007-2010. He has been at Birmingham since 2011. He was a shock selection in Fabio Capello's first provisional England squad.
