Our daily blog of transfer rumours from the press as Hull City prepare for life in the Premier League.
Those Conor Sammon rumours will just not go away: national newspapers continue to link Hull City with a possible £2m for the Derby County striker.
That's news to County, who have told the Derby Telegraph they have heard nothing from City.
Tigers fans are, on the whole, underwhelmed by speculation around the 26-year-old Irish international, who hit eight goals for the Rams last term. Niall McGlone echoes many in his tweet, "This Connor Sammon rumour is a joke, right?"
The Sun, picking up on Bruce's press conference yesterday lunchtime, says City want two strikers - and names Carlton Cole as the second. The 29-year-old former West Ham man is talking to Besiktas and has also been linked with a move to LA Galaxy. This morning's Daily Mail also joins in the Cole speculationCharlie Austin must have thought his world had fallen apart when his City move collapsed after a medical revealed a previously undetected knee problem showed up in scans. But today's Lancashire Telegraph says Burnley are likely to offer him a new deal.
Clarets boss Sean Dyche says: "Obviously it's a strange situation for the lad, wanting to get a chance to play in the Premier League – at the moment that one's not going to go through, but he's always made it clear how much he enjoys his time here with us, so we carry on as normal."
Hull City links with South African international Katlego Mphela have been dismissed as speculation by his manager at Mamelodi Sundowns.
But boss Pitso Mosimane told African football sources that Mphela was ready for a move to Europe.
"We haven't yet heard from Hull City. All of it is just rumours to us, but I believe it is his time," said Mosimane.
"If the offer does come, we won't stand in his way because the guy deserves a break.Jozy Altidore - who has returned to the Premier League with Sunderland - has thanked Hull City for developing his career.
The 23-year-old said: "I think it was really important for me.
"I had no experience of European football anywhere, so going to Hull was good for me to get my feet wet and start playing.
"I learned a lot about myself and I look back on it as an experience which helped to shape me into the player I am today."
Just a shame the Tigers couldn't bring him back for a second spell.
Talking of Sunderland, could midfielder Jack Colback be on his way to the KC? The Sun claims Paulo Di Canio is furious with the homegrown 23-year-old for turning down a new contract - leaving Bruce to consider a cut-price raid. Yes, okay, we know Bruce has been linked with every player who has pulled on the red and white stripes since the last war, but a £1m bid for Colback would be a great bid of business, wouldn't it?July 9
Just 24 hours ago, it looked as if Hull City would confirm the signing of Charlie Austin and then turn their primary attention to loan targets and free transfers.
Now, after the 11th-hour collapse of the Austin deal, Steve Bruce must go back to the drawing board in his hunt for a striker of Premier League quality.
So, will the Tigers boss turn back to Celtic's Gary Hooper?
Scotland's Daily Record reports today that the Parkhead side are set to snub two £4m bids for Hooper from Queen's Park Rangers and Norwich City.
The official offers were put forward yesterday, but Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell wants more money and expects both sides to return with improved bids. Former Scunthorpe star Hooper is reportedly keen on a move to the Canaries.Darren Bent, meanwhile, looks closer to a move from Aston Villa to Newcastle, after Toon manager Alan Pardew confirmed his interest in the Northern Echo.
Sky Sports says Bruce is stepping up his interest in free agent Carlton Cole. The former West Ham striker, 29, is also attracting interest from Besiktas of Turkey.
Two new names have surfaced from the rumour mill today. The Daily Mail claims Bruce is launching a bid to sign Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano on loan.
Amalfitano, 28, who can play across the midfield, has been in and out of the Marseille side, during which time he has picked up Champions League experience and a single cap for the French national side.
The second name comes via the Daily Star, which links former Norwich goalkeeper Lee Camp with a possible move to the KC. The Northern Ireland international is available on a free and would provide back-up for Allan McGregor.
Could QPR scupper City's negotiations for Wilson Palacios? As we report the morning, the Tigers are hoping to persuade Stoke City to allow the Honduran midfielder - a misfit at the Britannia - to leave on a free. However, today's Express claims Harry Redknapp will offer Samba Diakite in a swap deal for Palacios.Crazy Twitter talk: Derby County's Irish striker Connor Sammon is, for some odd reason, being linked to City. Bought by the Rams for £1.2m in 2012, he managed eight goals last season and was apparently the Championship's 61st best player. Who are we to argue?
