Gray pursuit intensifies after Hull City land Adubajo

The Tigers have been chasing the pair for several weeks and had a £6m joint bid rejected a week ago.

Talks continued, however, and the buy-out clause in Adubajo’s contract was met earlier this week. The 20-year-old has today signed a three-year deal, though it is not believed he signed in time to face Huddersfield Town tomorrow.

As for Gray, Bruce is hopeful of a deal being forced through after progress was made between the two clubs over a possible switch.

On the £3.5m capture of Adubajo, Bruce said: “We have signed him for the next three years, not just for one game. We had been trying to get a double deal for the two of them (Odubajo and Gray) but we had to separate them.

“Moses has been for five days since we triggered the deal so it’s unfair on him to wait.”

On the pursuit of Gray, the City manager - speaking at the club’s temporary training base at Bishop Burton College - added: “We are close.

“It is not quite done but it is very close. I thought at times yesterday that it was done but it’s still not quite there.

“We made a bid that was rejected and then we made another bid yesterday that was rejected as well, but it’s still ongoing. Let’s hope we’re getting closer.”

Bruce also wants Scotland international Shaun Maloney but City have so far been unable top agree a deal with MLS side Chicago Fire.

City are waiting to hear if a deal to sell Dame N’Doye to Trabzonspor is likely to go through after the striker returned to England from Turkey with no agreement in place.

The Turkish club triggered a release clause in the striker’s contract when bidding Euros 3.5m earlier this week.