Tigers agree Jelavic fee with Everton

Both clubs confirmed the news on their Twitter accounts on Friday night, with Hull set to open talks with the Croatian in the coming days.

“We have agreed a fee with @Everton for Nikica Jelavic, and will enter talks with the striker over the coming days. #UTT” a tweet from Hull said.

Bruce has been seeking to add firepower to his team in January but on Thursday apologised to both West Brom and Sunderland for reports linking the Tigers with moves for Shane Long and Steven Fletcher respectively.

He insisted in that press conference that the club had not made bids for any players, but a little over 24 hours later Everton have given them permission to discuss personal terms with the out-of-favour Jelavic.

The Croatia international joined the Toffees from Rangers in January 2012 for £5million and had an immediate impact, scoring 11 goals before the end of a season he finished as Everton’s top scorer, despite arriving more than halfway through the campaign.

However, his form tailed off significantly in the second half of last season and he has struggled to break into Roberto Martinez’s side following the arrival of Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea, with Jelavic yet to score a league goal this season.

Jelavic, who was prolific for both Rapid Vienna and Rangers before moving to Goodison Park, has scored a total of 21 goals in 69 games for Everton, but it appears the most recent of those - a brace against QPR in the third round of the FA Cup last week - will be his last for the club.

Sheffield Wednesday fans will hope Jelavic’s arrival allows the departure of striker Matty Fryatt, wanted back at Hillsborough after a successful loan spell earlier in the season.