Report: Hull City eager to hijack Birmingham City's bid for Barnsley's Marc Roberts

Birmingham City were said to be making a £5 million bid for the Barnsley centre-back, but Hull City could pounce.

Hull City are eager to hijack Birmingham City’s bid for Barnsley defender Marc Roberts, according to The Sun [30 June, page 59].

It is claimed the Tigers are willing to match the offer tabled by Birmingham, which The Sun previously reported to be around the £5 million mark, and both teams are said to be ‘pushing for a deal’ in the next 48 hours.

Hull City's Mohamed Diame in action with Barnsley's Marc Roberts Barnsley’s Marc Roberts [left] in action

And the tabloid adds that Barnsley have accepted Roberts will leave Oakwell this summer, after an impressive maiden Championship campaign for the former non-league player.

Hull have already lost Harry Maguire and Curtis Davies to Leicester City and Derby County respectively, while another centre-back, Andrea Ranocchia, has returned to Inter Milan.

The London Evening Standard has reported that Leonid Slutsky, the new Tigers boss, is also keen on Chelsea’s Tomas Kalas to plug the gap in his back line.

26-year-old Roberts moved to Barnsley two years ago from Halifax Town, and has been linked with moves to Birmingham’s local rivals Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion by The Sheffield Star.

Should the Barnsley defender choose Hull City over Birmingham City?

General view of the KCOM Stadium General view of Hull City’s KCOM Stadium