Source: Eurosport
Brown still hopeful over Negredo
Hull boss Phil Brown is refusing to admit defeat in his attempts to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo.
The Tigers have had a £12million bid for the player accepted by the Bernabeu giants but increasing reports in Spain suggest a deal with Real Zaragoza is imminent. But Brown, who has made bolstering his strikeforce his top priority all summer, is hoping the 23-year-old will fly to England on Tuesday for talks.
"We have done everything we possibly can and hopefully he is coming in today," Brown said. "It is fingers crossed and it is a waiting game."
The Tigers boss added: "There has been a lot of speculation ever since our interest (became known), not just in Spain but further afield.
"I was pleased we appeared to be the only Premier League team involved and he has made reference to wanting to play in the Premier League."
Brown has already signed two strikers in the current transfer window in Kamel Ghilas from Celta Vigo and Jozy Altidore on loan from Villarreal. But he will still continue looking for more firepower even if the Negredo transfer fails to materialise.
"Plan B on Saturday was Caleb Folan up front and he did a very good job," said Brown.
"I'm not saying we're not going to go into the transfer market to get another striker, we tried to make that our reference all pre-season. But what that does to players in the camp only time will tell."
Ghilas featured off the bench in Saturday's opening day Barclays Premier League defeat at Chelsea but Altidore missed out due to problems with his international clearance.
The 19-year-old reported for international duty with the United States last week but has been unable to return to the country due to red tape. It means he is again likely to be absent as Hull host Tottenham in their first home game of the season on Wednesday.
