HULL City are close to tying up a deal to sign loan star Robbie Brady after seeing a £2m offer accepted by Manchester United.
Brady has been at the top of Steve Bruce's wish-list following an impressive two-month loan at the KC and he will hope to recruit the rookie permanently in the next 48 hours.
A £2m fee has been enough to convince United to part with Brady for good, but the pursuit has not been straightforward.
The Mail understands Watford tabled a £2m bid for the 20-year-old on Friday, forcing City to match the Hornets' ambitious offer.
Brady's preference has always been to return to City and his wish should be granted ahead of this weekend's clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
"We're creeping along with Manchester United with regards to Robbie Brady," Bruce told the Mail.
"Robbie's loan deal was up so he went back and now we're in advanced discussions. Those went on late into the night on Friday and again over the weekend.
"We hope we can get it tied up and fair play to the board again because they're doing their utmost to make it happen. For that I'm entirely grateful.
"I would hope for a bit of good news, possibly at the beginning of the week. That would be a huge addition because of how well he's done."
With a £1.5m deal to sign David Meyler from Sunderland set to be announced today, City are delivering a statement of their promotion intent in the transfer market with a double swoop worth an estimated £3.5m.
Both deals will involve structured payments but owner Assem Allam has been true to his word that Bruce will receive his full support during a pivotal month in the campaign.
Although Bruce is willing to be patient over the final three weeks of the window, a goalkeeper and a new attacking option are still being sought.
The fringe players currently at Bruce's disposal gave him few assurances on Saturday as a side which included nine changes were held to a 1-1 draw by Leyton Orient in the FA Cup third round.
Nick Proschwitz's 94th-minute equaliser spared City another embarrassing cup exit and provided a second chance in the replay at Brisbane Road a week tomorrow, when the two sides will battle for the right to face Barnsley in the fourth round.
Bruce will revert to his strongest possible side when hosting Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on Saturday and insisted the FA Cup gamble was one worth taking.
"I made nine changes and when you do that, there's always a possibility that you're going to get a performance like that," he added.
"It had to be a risk worth taking. We had five out with knocks and niggles.
"I decided to keep the side fresh and they can now have a good week's training and get ready for Sheffield Wednesday and the replay.
"There's still doubts over Ahmed Elmohamady and Sone Aluko for Sheffield Wednesday but we'll see later in the week."