Tigers launch King bid

Brown told the Hull Daily Mail: "We're after improvement and as far as we're concerned, Marlon King would represent improvement" Brown told the Mail.

"We are talking to Steve Bruce and my chairman is talking to their chairman about the possibilities of Marlon King coming to the club. There's a long way to go but there's a bid on the table."

King has so far made a quiet start to his Wigan career, scoring just once against Blackurn last season. He signed from Championship club Watford in a deal worht a total of £4 million with and initial fee of around £2 million up front.

Steve Bruce may be willing to listen to offers for the front man after Egyptian Amr Zaki passed his medical and is expected to complete his deal with the Latics on Monday.

The club are also interested in Everton forward Andy Johnson and have had a £9 million offer rejected but could well go back with an improved offer that the cash strapped Toffees could find hard to turn down.