Bruce’s confident approach helps sway Jelavic towards Hull

The 28-year-old was the subject of a £6.5m bid that will rise by a further £1m should the Tigers still be in the Premier League next season.

Everton accepted the offer last Friday with manager Roberto Martinez admitting that Jelavic’s determination to play a major role for Croatia in this summer’s World Cup was a factor in agreeing to let him go.

Bruce contacted Jelavic over the weekend and the striker has now publicly declared his intention to move to the KC Stadium.

The formalities of the deal are still to be finalised, but the Everton man is expected to sign in time to make his debut at Norwich City this weekend.

Jelavic said: “Steve Bruce called me and told me that he wants me in his team as a leading attacker.

“He asked me if I am ready to move, then talked briefly about the club, his coaching philosophy and about the club’s goals.

“He was very confident during that conversation and after that I agreed to move to Hull City.

“The club suits me and I am happy that the clubs have found an agreement for my transfer.”

Bruce hopes Jelavic’s impending arrival proves the first half of a transfer double with a £6.5m bid also on the table for West Bromwich Albion striker Shane Long.

The Tigers thought a deal to bring the Baggies forward to Yorkshire had been sealed back in September only for the plug to be pulled by the Midlands club just an hour or so before the window closed.

However, Bruce has refused to be put off and a £6.5m bid was lodged with West Brom late last week for the Republic of Ireland international.

Talks have taken place at boardroom level but, as yet, Hull are still waiting to hear a definite response from the Albion hierarchy.

Long, who was in East Yorkshire when the transfer collapsed, has just six months remaining on his contract at The Hawthorns.

However, he will not be available on a free transfer come the summer due to Albion having a binding one-year option on the striker – something they would be unlikely to give up.

Since the summer move to Hull fell through, Long has returned to the West Brom side and has netted four goals this term.

He would have scored a fifth in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Southampton, but for a fine reflex save from Artur Boruc at the finish.

If Long does follow Jelavic in opting for Hull, Bruce’s attacking armoury will be signifcantly boosted ahead of a season-defining run of games.

Jelavic, for instance, may only have two goals to his name this term – both in the FA Cup win over QPR a week last Saturday – after falling down the pecking 
order following the arrival of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

But the Croatian’s form on his first season in English football proved he is more than capable of scoring the goals that will be needed to keep Hull out of trouble.