HULL City have launched an ambitious bid to land Spurs and England midfielder Tom Huddlestone in a deal that could eclipse their £5m record transfer fee.
And with a loan move for Tottenham team-mate Jake Livermore also under discussion, the Tigers have upped the ante in their attempts to strengthen before the start of the Premier League season this weekend.
The Mail understands City have entered advanced negotiations for the pair and though both deals have work to be done before completion, manager Steve Bruce has the backing of the Tigers' board.Update, 3.30pm:City set to announce double signing
A move for Huddlestone, 26, would comfortably represent City's biggest move of the summer and potentially their history.
Not since a £5m deal brought Jimmy Bullard to the KC Stadium from Fulham in January 2009 have the Tigers been prepared to commit such a figure, but Premier League rivals Sunderland could yet pose an obstacle to the deal.
The Black Cats have been on Huddlestone's trail all summer and were reportedly willing to meet Spurs' £5m valuation last month. Speculation has since gone cold but City's approach is expected to spark Sunderland into action.
Huddlestone, who boasts four England caps, has long been regarded as one of England's most technically-gifted midfielders since emerging through the youth ranks of Derby County as a teenager.
Although a £2.5m move to Spurs followed in 2005, his seven years in North London have been punctuated by injury problems. That has damaged his first-team prospects under Andre Villas Boas and a move away this summer has grown inevitable.
City's bid for Livermore is another eye-catching move and a season-long loan appeals to both parties.
Livermore, who won his only England cap a year ago this week in a friendly against Italy, is in need of regular football and the 23-year-old is unlikely to enjoy that at White Hart Lane, despite making 19 appearances last season.
Previous loan spells have come at Derby, Peterborough, Ipswich and Leeds but a challenge is sought in the Premier League.
Bruce will hope to make progress on both transfers before Sunday's trip to Chelsea and the proposed business signals a marked change in approach from the Tigers.
The need for fresh midfield options has been hastened by injury to Stephen Quinn and the exits of Corry Evans and Tom Cairney, forcing City to act.
It is understood Bruce's mind was made up to pursue Huddlestone and Livermore following a weekend scouting trip to France where he watched target Mohammed Rabiu.
Bruce was in the stands to run the rule over the Ghana international, who played 90 minutes in Evain's 1-1 draw with Sochaux on Saturday, but, much like team-mate Eric Ti Bie, Rabiu failed to convince the City boss.
The urgency to find new midfielders has also resulted in the full financial support of owner Assem Allam. While Bruce's spending this summer has been limited to £7.6m, that figure will escalate if Huddlestone can be lured to East Yorkshire along with Livermore.
