Transfer gossip (Sunday, Aug 21): Strikers linked to Hull City | Leeds eye Hammers forward | Scouts at Huddersfield | Bradford need cover

VICTORIES in their opening two Premier League games could attract players to under-strength Hull City.

That is the hope of caretaker manager Mike Phelan after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Swansea City followed their opening-day win against champions Leicester City.

“The results over the two games will, hopefully, make football players want to come to this football club,” said the 53-year-old.

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FC Sion striker Moussa Konate and Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez are two of the names to be linked with City along with Manchester City’s Belgian 21-year-old central defender Jason Denayer, who is also being monitored by Southampton and Turkish club Galatasaray

Martin O’Neill, the Republic of Ireland manager, has seen his odds cut from 16-1 to 9-4 to become the next permanent manager of the Tigers, though Phelan remains favourite at 7/5.

Keighley-born West Ham striker Ashley Fletcher is wanted on loan at Leeds United.

Fletcher enjoyed a spell at Barnsley last season, scoring the opening goal in the Tykes’ League One Play-Off final victory over Millwall, before the Hammers signed the 20-year-old in July on a four-year deal from Manchester United .

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One player who Leeds could be losing is Charlie Taylor, who admitted after victory over Sheffield Wednesday that he could not be certain if the club planned to keep him beyond the end of the end of the transfer window.

Taylor, however, promised to “put in 100 per cent” if he stays at Leeds until his contract runs out next summer. West Bromwich Albion are the keenest of the left-back’s suitors.

Derby County’s interest in Sheffield Wednesday striker Fernando Forestieri is expected to be over after the Rams signed Manchester United forward James Wilson, 20, on a season-lomg loan.

Scouts were at Huddersfield monitoring the progress of Town striker Nahki Wells and Barnsley central defender Alfie Mawson, whose attitude amid all the speculation has been “first-class” according to coach Paul Heckingbottom.

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Norwich are said to be keeping a close eye on £8m-rated Wells, while Newcastle are the latest club to show interest in Mawson.

Bradford City are looking for defensive cover after full-back and captain Tony McMahon was ruled out for up to six weeks with a torn thigh muscleafter scoring twice from the penalty spot in City’s 3-1 comeback win over Coventry.

Defender John Brayford has returned to Burton Albion on loan from Sheffield United, eight years after he last played for the Brewers in non-league.

The 28-year-old links up with manager Nigel Clough for the fourth time, having previously played under him at Burton, Derby and the Blades.