HULL City boss Steve Bruce has turned his attentions to QPR striker DJ Campbell after seeing Cardiff City hijack a move for long-term transfer target Fraizer Campbell.
A frustrating week for the Tigers took another twist yesterday as a protracted pursuit of Sunderland and England striker Campbell was derailed by an approach from promotion rivals Cardiff.
Although City are understood to have been willing to match the Black Cats' asking price of £600,000, the financial muscle of the Championship's league-leaders has scuppered hopes of Campbell returning to East Yorkshire.
The Mail understands a package worth £30,000-a-week has been tabled by the ambitious Bluebirds and forced Bruce to refocus his search for a new striker in the closing fortnight of the transfer window.
With the need for a fresh attacking option heightened by injury to leading scorer Sone Aluko this week, Bruce is now understood to have approached QPR to lodge his firm interest in DJ Campbell.
The 31-year-old, who was signed by Bruce when manager of Birmingham in 2006, has been told he can leave Loftus Road this month and manager Harry Redknapp has claimed approaches have come from "six or seven" different Championship clubs.
City's lofty league standing and a previous association with Bruce makes a move to the KC Stadium an attractive option for Campbell, but the Tigers are fearful the player's preference is to remain in the south-east.
Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway yesterday admitted he had lodged an enquiry, while Bolton and Ipswich are also known to be monitoring his future.
A hugely successful loan spell with Ipswich this season saw Campbell rebuild his stock and 10 goals from 17 starts for the Tractor Boys placed him firmly in the January shop window.
A fee in the region of £1m is thought to be enough to sever all ties with QPR.
Although City have shelled out £3.5m this month to sign David Meyler and Robbie Brady, transfer funds will be far from limitless in the closing 13 days of the transfer window.
An approach to loan Fulham keeper David Stockdale was tabled this week and that could yet be given the green-light before tomorrow's trip to Peterborough.
City are hopeful of finalising a deal for the 27-year-old until the end of the season, a deal that would bring an end to their recent goalkeeping problems at least until May.
City's interest in loan star Ahmed Elmohamady also remains undiminished by Sunderland's recall this week and a return to the KC Stadium cannot be discounted if Martin O'Neill is able to strengthen in the coming days.
