Hull City transfer dossier: Steve Bruce looks to build squad and stave off relegation

Having only just been promoted to the Premier League, Hull City boss Steve Bruce knows he can waste no time in building a squad capable of surviving the drop next season. The Tigers have become something of a yo-yo club in recent years, but in Bruce they have a manager with the necessary know-how to deliver them to safety.

To that end, Bruce will surely be busy in the transfer market as he looks to supplement his hard-working squad with players of greater technique and class.

Business so far

Curtis Davies recently signed a new deal at the KCOM Stadium, keeping him there until 2018, and is sure to be a key player in the club's 2016/17 campaign. Meanwhile, the Tigers may opt against turning Nick Powell's loan move into a permanent deal.

Bruce boasted one of the strongest squads in the Championship, but knows he'll need more quality in order to mix it with the Premier League big boys. The manager will probably try to sign an additional forward to ease the burden on Abel Hernandez, while a creative wide player is also a must.

Who could join

The club's transfer plans have been on hold while they were competing in the Championship play-offs. But having secured Premier League football for next season, the time to splash the cash has arrived. Bruce is likely to be in the market for a new forward and a wide player to complement the likes of Hernandez and Tom Huddlestone.

Who could leave

As mentioned earlier, it seems Powell's days at Hull are numbered after an unsuccessful six-month loan spell, while rival clubs may be interested in acquiring Huddlestone, who remains an excellent technical footballer.

Most important, however, is that they retain their underrated manager, who has been linked with a move away from the club amid takeover talk. Bruce remains Hull's most valuable asset and the key to them surviving next season.

What the manager has said

"It's always going to be difficult for us because of where we are. We try to attract them but we are never going to be the biggest payers," Bruce explained.

"It's difficult to try and get people to come to us, even if we have the money, so there is a long road ahead. Teams like Bournemouth, Swansea, West Brom, we have to emulate them."