Hull City have turned their attention to Cardiff striker Ross McCormack after missing out on Michael Owen, Fraizer Campbell and Marc-Antoine Fortune.
The Tigers have also tabled a bid for Fulham forward Bobby Zamora.
But it is believed that the Barclays Premier League outfit are preparing an offer of about £3.5m for the 22-year-old Scotland international.
Hull lost out to Manchester United for Owen, Fortune joined Celtic, while Campbell ended up at Sunderland.
Three top-flight clubs and one from the Championship are trailing McCormack, who scored 23 goals for Cardiff last season.
Stoke City have previously been linked with the Scot and were also one of the clubs chasing Owen.
McCormack began his career with Rangers but was sold to Motherwell in 2006 despite scoring an equaliser against Porto on his European debut.
His fine form at Fir Park led Wigan and Middlesbrough to express an interest in taking him to England's top flight.
But he eventually moved to Championship outfit Cardiff in 2008 under freedom of contract, with Motherwell receiving a small development fee because of his age.
McCormack made his full international debut in May that year and started Scotland's last two World Cup qualifiers against Netherlands and Iceland.
Hull have had a frustrating summer search for a new striker.
They were never going to be in the hunt for Owen once Sir Alex Ferguson made his surprise move for the England striker despite a disappointing season with relegated Newcastle.
Hull manager Phil Brown thought he was in pole position to secure Fortune before the Nancy striker chose to be reunited with new Celtic manager Tony Mowbray, who he had played under last season while on loan to West Brom.
The Tigers then looked poised to secure Campbell after having a £6m offer accepted by Man Utd - and had even discussed personal terms before the 21-year was wooed by Sunderland.
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