HULL City have been quoted £4m to land goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel after seeing their opening offer of £1.25m dismissed out of hand by Leicester City. The Tigers' firm interest in Schmeichel has led to a speculative first bid being tabled this week, but the Foxes were quick to respond by immediately rejecting the seven-figure sum.
Although City were told they will need to at least treble their offer if they are to stand any chance of capturing the 26-year-old, it is hoped a middle-ground in the valuations can be found.
City's bargaining position is strengthened by the fact Schmeichel is soon to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
Leicester are keen to tie the Denmark international to a new long-term deal to quell uncertainty over his future, but an ambition to play Premier League football next season makes Schmeichel reluctant to commit at present.
Unconfirmed reports in the East Midlands have suggested Schmeichel has voiced his desire to leave and City are continuing to monitor his position with interest.
The strained relations between the two clubs, one that peaked when Nigel Pearson swapped the KC for the King Power Stadium in November 2011, is unlikely to aid City's hopes, but Leicester's need to comply with financial fair play regulations could point towards a parting with one of their highest earners.
A deal remains some way off with Schmeichel currently away on international duty and, keen to keep his options open, Bruce is also tracking Scotland and Besiktas star Allan McGregor.
The 31-year-old is the only other goalkeeper under consideration by the Tigers at present and could yet be the preferred choice if Leicester hold firm on their high valuation of Schmeichel.
In a bid to end a turbulent period that has seen nine goalkeepers used in the last three seasons, Bruce is desperate to recruit a proven long-term solution this summer.
McGregor, who made over 200 appearances for Glasgow Rangers before heading to Turkey last summer, fits the criteria in place.
Although he was tentatively pursued by Bruce last season, City were unable to compete with the bumper salary on offer at Besiktas while a Championship side.
Promotion to the top flight has made the Tigers competitive and McGregor would be willing to call time on his Turkish adventure if a Premier League opportunity arose.
Reports have suggested a deal has already been agreed between City and Besiktas but, with Schmeichel still prominent on the radar, that is very much premature.
Question marks might surround the suitability of both back-up keepers Eldin Jakupovic and Mark Oxley in the Premier League, but Bruce will not be signing both Schmeichel and McGregor. The pair want to be recognised number ones and the wages needed for both would reduce City's spending on fresh attacking blood.
Four weeks on from City's promotion being secured, a host of targets have been linked with summer moves to East Yorkshire.
Burnley's Charlie Austin is one definitely under consideration, while cool interest is also there for Celtic's Gary Hooper and West Brom bad boy Peter Odemwingie. The wage demands of the latter pair, coupled with a transfer fee of at least £3m, pose an obvious stumbling block.
Defender Maynor Figueroa, available on a free transfer after leaving relegated Wigan, is understood to be Bruce's top defensive target. The City boss was responsible for discovering the 30-year-old when Latics manager and admires the left-sided defender's versatility and experience.
