Football Today - Transfer Gossip (Wednesday): Hull City look to bolster numbers further | Sheffield United bid for striker stalls | Bradford City loan out forward

The two Seagulls’ midfielders are deemed surplus to requirements by manager Chris Hughton with Nigel Adkins keen to bolster his options in the middle.

The Tigers are also thought to be chasing Scunthorpe United defender Conor Townsend, who came through the club’s Academy system before leaving the KCOM in the summer of 2016.

Martyn Waghorn is not likely to move to Sheffield United from Ipswich Town as the two clubs still disagree over the valuation of the striker.

In an interview with Sky Sports after last night’s preseason friendly draw with Inter Milan, Blades boss Chris Wilder admitted that the deal is not moving anywhere at the moment.

He said: “We’ve only got a set amount of cash to work with and we’ve got to get the maximum out of that. We’ve got our own strategy at the football club, we’re not boom and bust.”

Bradford City forward Shay McCartan, meanwhile, has joined Lincoln City on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old forward, who joined City last June and can be recalled in January, made 29 appearances for the Bantams last season, scoring four goals.

“I spoke with Shay and explained how we couldn’t guarantee him regular football,” Bantams head coach, Michael Collins.

“I believe there is a quality player in Shay and our thinking is around the fact the door isn’t closed for him. He is still a Bradford City player and we want him to get out there and play some football.”

Elsewhere – and on a slightly different spending level – Spanish giants Real Madrid are considering a £60m swoop for Tottenham and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, according to reports, while the Red Devils are battling with Chelsea over Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who could be available for £62m.