Hull City were today closing in on competing the sensational £12m signing of Real Madrid's Alvaro Negredo.

Progress over the weekend saw the massive club record bid accepted by the Spanish giants.

And with the Tigers offering to make the 23-year-old their biggest earner on around £45,000 a week, it is hoped he could sign in the next 48 hours.

Manager Phil Brown was expected to meet Negredo today or tomorrow in a bid to tie up the loose ends of the deal.

And it appeared the only remaining question was whether another club would nip in at the final minute and scupper the deal.

Previous suitors Roma, Villareal and Zenit St Petersburg have all been unable to match City's incredible offer.

Only Real Zaragoza appear to stand in the Tiger's way, with Negredo's agent Alejandro Camano claiming it was now a 'two horse race'.

With the price-tag again proving a stumbling block, the Tigers remain in pole position.

But in a summer in which he has seen a string of targets snatched from under his nose having had bids accepted, Brown remained cautious.

"We're open to counter bids from clubs all over the world but we are the only ones with a bid on the table and it's been accepted," said Brown.

"Now that it's out there we're hanging out to dry. You put £12m on the table and you open yourselves up to everyone else.

"Fingers crossed, he'll come across on Monday or Tuesday to talk to us."

* See today's Mail for the Match, our 8-page Tigers pullout on the Chelsea clash.