Monday Transfer Gossip (July 25): McGugan told to leave Sheffield Wednesday | Newcastle want Barnsley defender and Sheffield United striker | Leeds United eye '˜two or three'

ROBERTO MARTINEZ has emerged as the new favourite to become the next manager of Hull City, with the Tigers set to interview the 43-year-old about replacing Steve Bruce.

Bruce quit his position on Friday and former Everton manager Martinez is said to be on a short-list of candidates who Hull would consider as Bruce’s successor.

Steve McClaren, Steve Evans, Ryan Giggs, Mike Phelan and Neil Warnock are also all prominent in the betting to be next Tigers boss but Martinez is the big mover in the recent odds.

The Spaniard is as short as 3-1 favourite with Leeds firm Sky Bet and Martinez is keen to return to management after being sacked by Everton at the end of last season.

On the transfer front, the Tigers had been strongly linked with a move for free agent Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu but Bruce’s departure may have scuppered the deal.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, continue to chase Lille defensive midfielder Ibrahim Amadou though the French club will only sell if the Teessiders stump up a substantial transfer bid.

Amadou still has three years left on his current deal.

In the Championship, midfielder Lewis McGugan has been told he is free to leave Sheffield Wednesday.

McGugan was left out of the Owls squad for Wednesday’s victory over Benfica last week and was also omitted from the squad’s travelling party for their five-day warm-weather training camp in Portugal.

Boss Carlos Carvalhal explained: ““Lewis is a very good player and can play in a lot of teams in the Championship but he has difficulties playing our game.

“Sometimes these kind of things happen in football. It’s not a question of attitude or the value of the player.

“He doesn’t have the requirements that we want for our team so it’s better for all of us that he must play and be happy. For players to be happy, they must play. It’s better that Lewis finds a club where he can be happy. I’m absolutely sure he will find another club because he’s a good player.”

Barnsley, meanwhile, could receive a bid from Newcastle United for 22-year-old centre-back Alfie Mawson who is attracting the attention of the recently relegated Magpies.

Newcastle have already signed a centre-back in Grant Hanley from Blackburn Rovers but with the likes of Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor having departed, Mawson is viewed as an attractive proposition.

Leeds United head coach Garry Monk says the Whites are close to making “two or three” signings and the Elland Road outfit remain in the hunt for Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt.

The 27-year-old proved a big hit on loan at Leeds last season and is now surplus to requirements at Sunderland but Bridcutt’s wages are proving a major stumbling block, even if United can agree a fee with the Black Cats.

Sunderland are said to want £2m for the midfielder - a price Leeds are reluctant to pay - but Bridcutt is also on Aston Villa’s radar.

In League One, Sheffield United forward Che Adams is now attracting the interest of Newcastle, as well as Birmingham City who have already had one bid of around £1.2m rejected.

The Blues are likely to launch a fresh bid of around £2m but that may be matched by the Magpies.

Blues boss Gary Rowett said of Adams: “It’s been quite open he is one we like.

“I don’t really like to talk about other team’s players too much but he is one we like, one we have watched quite a lot of.

“He would be a young hungry one with a bit of a point to prove but he is Sheffield United’s player so there is not too much point me speculating about it.”

The Blades are still chasing a move for Bury striker Leon Clarke and now United are also interested in Wigan midfielder Sam Morsy.

The 24-year-old would command a fee of around £200,000 and the midfielder is also interesting MK Dons.

In National League, York City boss Jackie McNamara is hopeful of signing former Watford goalkeeper Luke Simpson who has excelled both on trial at the club and in Saturday’s friendly against Bolton Wanderers.