Boateng, who has spent over a decade in the Premier League, could be one of three foreign players to join the Tigers in the next few days.

Brazilian midfielder Geovanni and French defender Bernard Mendy have also expressed a willingness to sign on – subject to the club meeting their wage demands.

Greek international winger Stelios, however, will not be moving to the club following his release by Bolton Wanderers.

Manager Phil Brown held talks with the player's agent last week but an agreement could not be reached.

Brown flew to Holland on Wednesday for talks with
32-year-old Boateng's representatives and, although negotiations are still at an early stage, the player has not ruled out the possibility of joining the Premier League newcomers.

Boateng is being pushed towards the exit door at Middlesbrough by the imminent arrival of new midfielders including Didier Digard who was suspended by Paris St Germain last night for failing to report for training.

That development is unlikely to stop Digard's £4m transfer proceeding and manager Gareth Southgate has also lined up deals for Reading's James Harper and Sparta Rotterdam's Marvin Emnes

Boateng has spent the last six seasons at Middlesbrough but is still under contract for another 12 months which means Hull could have to pay a transfer fee to secure his signature.

Geovanni, who has been released by Manchester City, looks set to put pen-to-paper on a deal with the Tigers this weekend.

Mendy, who played under Brown during his time at Bolton, has also indicated that he is happy to sign up.

Chairman Paul Duffen, who acknowledges that the club will have to pay around £20,000-a-week for players of international calibre, says he is hoping for positive news on the transfer front after the weekend.

Utility player David Livermore, meanwhile, has joined League One side Brighton and Hove Albion on a two year deal.

Livermore, who was loaned out to Oldham Athletic last season, said: "I know I can play in the Championship and that's where I want to get back to. If the club can build on last season's foundations, we have a great chance."

Stoke City striker Jon Parkin is preparing for his club's return to the Premier League by training with former club York City.

Parkin, 26, played under York manager Colin Walker as a youth team player at Barnsley and felt a need to improve his fitness ahead of Stoke's first pre-season training session next week.