HULL City are interested in signing Arsenal's young striker, Jay Simpson for £1.2m, according to today's Daily Mirror.

The 21-year-old is thought to have 12 months left on his current contract at the Emirates.

Despite netting twice in a friendly against Barnet last month, Simpson was left out of Arsenal's pre-season visit to Austria.

Having slipped down the strikers' pecking order at the Gunners, it could pave the way for the former England junior international to either go out on loan or be sold.

That has alerted a string of clubs to his availability, with Bristol City, QPR, Leicester, Celtic, Blackpool, Fulham, Millwall, Leeds and Nottingham Forest all linked with the player over the last month.

The Arsenal academy product is no stranger to the Championship, having scored 12 goals in 39 appearances for QPR last season.

Given the club's financial situation, it would appear very unlikely City could fork out £1m-plus for the striker.

However, with the Tigers hoping to wrap up a loan deal for Spurs' youngster John Bostock before Saturday's Championship opener against Swansea, a similar loan move for Simpson might not be beyond the realms of possibility.

It is no secret the Tigers are hunting a striker in this transfer window, having seen the likes of Jozy Altidore and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink leave the club and Kamel Ghilas go out on loan so far this summer.

Daniel Cousin is also expected to head for the exit door before this weekend.

Simpson would appear to fit Tigers' bill – if the deal is right.