Late bid provides Chester with dual options

The 26-year-old had seemed set for a move to The Hawthorns after being given permission on Monday night to leave the Tigers’ training camp in Austria.

However, in a development first revealed on The Yorkshire Post website yesterday afternoon, Leicester launched an eleventh hour attempt to hijack the deal.

New Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri wants the former Manchester United defender to spearhead his back-line in next season’s top flight and lodged a bid that was accepted.

It leaves Chester, who has less than a year left on his deal at the KC Stadium, with a big decision to make as to which club would best suit his career.

Chester, also a target for Crystal Palace this summer, may still opt for Albion, especially as he left Austria believing he was going to join Tony Pulis’s men.

But, either way, the departure of the former Old Trafford trainee and that of Robbie Brady – whose £7m switch to Norwich City was confirmed late on Monday when he signed a three-year deal – will at least give Hull some leeway in their own attempts to rebuild following relegation.

Manager Steve Bruce started his recruitment yesterday with the double capture of Chesterfield wideman Sam Clucas and former Newcastle United man Ryan Taylor. Both are expected to face Al-Ain in tonight’s friendly.

Hull have paid around £1.3m for Clucas, whose move continues a meteoric rise that has taken the 24-year-old from Sunday league football to the Championship in just five years.

Released by Leicester City, he returned to college to study for a sports development course before being snapped up by Lincoln City.

Switches to Hereford United, Mansfield Town and Chesterfield followed before Bruce made his move earlier this month.

“Sam is somebody who we’ve been watching for a while now,” said the Tigers’ manager of the winger, who has signed a three-year deal.

“He is naturally left-sided but can play in a number of different positions on the pitch, as we saw the other week at Chesterfield when he played off the front man, which is always a nice option to have.

“It is a big opportunity for him coming here, but it’s one that he has earned with his performances in recent seasons. It is a big chance and one that I am sure he will take.”

Fellow newcomer Taylor was released by Newcastle United last month and spent two years on trial with Hull before penning a one-year deal.

Bruce added: “Ryan brings immense experience to the squad. I have known him for many years now, from my days at Wigan.

“He has had two awful injuries but, hopefully, that is behind him now and he can kick on and enjoy the rest of his career.

“He has got that valuable Premier League experience and know-how, all he needs now is a little bit of luck.

“Ryan is a very, very good player who I have had the pleasure of working with before. He’s a great professional and someone that I’m happy to have been able to add to the squad.”

As Chester ponders which club to join, the ins and outs at the KC are about to be stepped up with Hull in talks with several targets.

Likewise, high-earners such as Nikica Jelavic, Abel Hernandez and Dame N’Doye continue to attract interest.

On his own recruitment plans, Bruce said: “I know a lot of people have been waiting and of course it’s been difficult, that has been well documented.

“But, before the window closes, we anticipate there’s going to be another four or five coming in as well. We know we have to add to the squad. We are doing our utmost and working away to try and improve on what we have got in all areas of the pitch.”

One-time Hull target Max Gradel could be on the verge of a return to English football with Bournemouth.

The Ivorian winger has been the subject of a £7m bid from the Premier League newcomers.

Leeds United, meanwhile, could be in for a windfall due to a sell-on clause inserted in the deal that took Gradel to St Etienne in 2011. It kicks in on any profit over the £2m paid by the French side.

Former Huddersfield Town defender Nathan Clarke last night made his bow for Bradford City after signing a 12-month deal with the League One outfit.

The 31-year-old, released by Leyton Orient due to wanting to return to his native West Yorkshire, played in the first half of the friendly at Whitby.