Sheffield United have today announced that they have 'reluctantly accepted' Hull City's bid for Harry Maguire.

A deal to take Maguire to Hull was thought to have been dead in the water with Tigers boss Steve Bruce seemingly admitting that the Premier League side had failed in a bid for the highly-rated defender.

However the news posted on the club's official website has confirmed that Hull have now reached Sheffield United's valuation for 21 year-old.

Maguire has made 134 appearances since making his debut for the Blades in April 2011. Since relegation to League One at the end of the 2010/11 season, Maguire has been a fixture in the Sheffield United line-up, drawing interest from a number of clubs in higher divisions.

Hull City have pursued the England under-21 international for much of this summer, it now appears that they are close to landing one of their top targets.

The Blades have already recruited two central defenders this summer in Andy Butler and Harrison McGahey, it seems that the club have long been bracing themselves for the departure of Maguire.

Sheffield United Managing Director Mel Brannigan stated: "We made it clear that we wanted Harry to stay by offering him a new contract at the end of last season, unfortunately he and his representatives chose a different path.

"However, as he is under contract at Bramall Lane, we exercised our right to set our own valuation of him and after numerous bids which did not meet our expectations, Hull City increased their offer and we have reluctantly accepted.

"As we have previously stated, Sheffield United are not under pressure to sell our players but on this occasion it was deemed the best for all parties and now we move on with the aim of assisting Nigel Clough to strengthen his squad."