West Ham United are preparing to launch a bid for Hull City striker Nikica Jelavic, the Daily Mail has reported.

The East London club are said to be putting together an offer worth about £3 million, nearly half the amount the Tigers paid to take the Croatian from Everton in 2014.

Hull boss Steve Bruce admitted that Jelavic is unlikely to remain at the KC Stadium come Tuesday, revealing that two offers have been lodged recently.

“We had a bid late last night. Actually, two clubs have shown their hand and with that going on I didn’t think it was right [to play him]’’, Bruce was quoted by the Hull Daily Mail as saying.

“So we’ll see what happens over the next 24-48 hours but come Tuesday I would expect Jelavic to be gone.”

The newly-relegated club have been enduring a rough summer that saw several top players depart, including Robbie Brady, James Chester and Dame N’Doye.

Bruce has repeatedly expressed concern over an increasingly thinning squad, and warned that Yorkshire club may struggle to get back to the Premier League as a result. The future of Tom Huddlestone, Abel Hernandez and Alan McGregor is also still uncertain.

The 30-year-old left the Goodison Park after 59 games in which he scored 16 goals. He career in Britain began with Glasgow Rangers, where he arrived from Rapid Wien in 2010.

He has played in five of the opening six games and was left out of the Rochdale game over a minor injury.

Hull fans... What do you think? How important is it that you keep hold of Jelavic? How much should he be allowed to leave for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!