Daily transfer rumours from the press as Hull City prepare for life in the Premier League.
The Daily Mail picks up on our Gary Hooper report: "Hull are making a renewed £5m bid for Celtic striker," it reports today.
The move comes after Wigan striker Arouna Kone - a target for Bruce - made clear his desire to join former boss Roberto Martinez at Everton, according to the Mail.
Scotland's Herald says Celtic will reluctantly let Hooper go if City put up £5m - after rejecting a lesser bid of around £4m earlier this month. Nottingham Forest and Reading have also enquired about the 31-goal striker - but he wants Premier League football.
Celtic legend Murdo MacLeod is among pundits convinced Hooper - who has a year left on his contract - will leave Parkhead this summer, but teammate Joe Ledley has urged the striker to stay.
If Bruce fails to land either or both of Hooper and Burnley's Charlie Austin, might he still consider a move for Peter Odemwingie?
West Bromwich Albion remain keen on selling their outcast striker - but admit they have received no bids so far - and the Tigers would surely only consider him as a last resort, with the likes of free agent Carlton Cole looking a much better shout.Crazy Twitter talk: Leeds United's teen prospect Sam Byram has been linked with Manchester City, Arsenal and now Hull City - if today's more outlandish rumours are to be believed. The England under-20s right-back is undoubtedly a good prospect in defence or midfield, but he has a contract at Elland Road until 2016 and may prefer to continue his development with regular first-team football.• Doncaster have named ex-City manager Brian Horton as Paul Dickov's new assistant.June 25
Today's Sun says Steve Bruce is leading the chase for £7.5m Nordin Amrabat.
As reported yesterday, the Turkish press has been talking up a possible loan move for the Galatasaray winger, 26.
The talented Moroccan international - a product of the Dutch youth system - has moved to distance himself from the speculation, however.
His "representative", Erkan Alkan, told Turkish paper Radyospor: "Amrabat has not agreed terms with Hull City. Amrabat is happy at Galatasasray and wants to continue playing at the club."
That statement appear to contradict Amrabat's agent, who told Sky Sports yesterday of Premier League interest in his client.
The Sun claims West Brom and Fulham are also in the hunt.
Speculation continues today over the future of Millwall goalkeeper David Forde, after the Lions signed former West Ham stopper Stephen Bywater on a two-year deal.
Millwall boss Steve Lomas is keen to tie Forde to a long-term deal, but City and Ipswich have both been linked with a move for the the Irish international.
Meanwhile, Burnley are being linked with a move for veteran striker Kevin Davies as boss Sean Dyche waits on the future of his star striker Charlie Austin. City remain willing to spend around £4m to bring Austin to the KC Stadium, but are not prepared to match the Clarets' asking price - thought to be around £5m.Crazy Twitter talk: City will steal Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste from under the noses of Bolton and Crystal Palace, according to @Transfer24_7 ... who must believe Bruce is planning to line up 8-1-1 next season. • There's more on Hull City transfer news today in our lead story, with a move BACK ON for Celtic's Gary Hooper, plus news on deals for Curtis Davies, Ahmed Elmohamady, Allan McGregor and Ilombe Mboyo.June 24Turkish sources claim Hull City are interested in taking Galatasaray winger Nordin Amrabat on loan.
The £7m-rated Moroccan international - who came through the Dutch youth system with Ajax and PSV - signed a five-year contract with the Turkish giants last year.
Amrabat's agent Barry Thomas told Sky Sports he was aware of interest from Premier League clubs but any move would depend on Galatasaray.
However, Galatasaray could be persuaded to let Amrabat go because they currently have 10 foreign players on their books. Turkish clubs are allowed to field six at any time.
Meanwhile, City are one of four Premier League clubs interested in Ecuador's Jefferson Montero, according to his agent - via Sky Sports.
The Morelia man - who turned heads in a World Cup qualifying match against Argentina earlier this month - would cost £3.5m.
Swansea, West Brom and West Ham have also been linked with the 23-year-old.Curtis Davies is expected to finalise his move to City when he arrives at the KC Stadium today. As reported on Saturday, Davies is nearing a £2.25m switch from Birmingham City.
Birmingham have given up on bringing Jack Hobbs in the other direction, according to today's Birmingham Mail. The Tigers are reluctant to let Hobbs go as a makeweight in the Davies deal, and the Blues are unable to afford a loan fee.
The Lee Cattermole speculation continues today, with the north-east's Journal newspaper suggesting Steve Bruce will face competition from Cardiff City for the midfielder's signature.
Liverpool showed some interest in Cattermole a couple of seasons ago, but a string of injuries and disciplinary issues have seen his stock fall.
Cattermole has a contract until 2016, but wants first team football and could welcome a fresh start away from The Stadium Of Light.
Norwich and Everton now look favourites to land Arouna Kone. Steve Bruce is keen on the Wigan striker but City have baulked at a £5m fee plus demanding personal terms.
Meanwhile, The Sun speculates on whether City might be interested in bringing Marlon King back to the KC on a free transfer. That's got to be a "no", hasn't it?!Crazy Twitter talk: Wild speculation today that Kasper Schmeichel has put in a transfer request at Leicester City. That's surely wishful thinking: despite several bids, City have been unable to prise their number one goalkeeper target away from The Foxes.Update, 12.45pm: Schmeichel tweets: "Contrary to reports I have never put a transfer request in and won't be."
