Hull City manager Phil Brown is poised to take the biggest gamble of his career and sign Bobby Zamora from Fulham in a record £5m deal.Brown has turned to centre forward Zamora in the hope he can score the goals that will keep his side in the Premier League next season.
The Tigers expect to hold talks with Zamora when he returns from Fulham's pre-season tour of Australia.
Brown has been snubbed by Michael Owen, Fraizer Campbell and Marc Antoine-Fortune so far this summer.
His move for Zamora is a bold one considering the former West Ham star scored just two goals in 35 appearances for Fulham last season.
If the deal goes through it would match the club-record fee Hull paid last season for another ex-Fulham player in Jimmy Bullard.
Bullard's move turned into a nightmare when he suffered ruptured knee ligaments in his first game and was ruled out for eight months.
The biggest challenge Brown will face is persuading Zamora to leave London for Humberside. FanHouse sources understand Zamora is reluctant to move north and would prefer to join a club closer to his London home.
Brown admits a frustrating summer means he is reluctant to look too far ahead but he said: "Bobby is still away with Fulham in Australia.
"When they get back it is my intention to meet him to discuss personal terms and let him undergo a medical.
"Am I optimistic? Put it this way, in the transfer market these days you just never know until its all signed, sealed and delivered, but let's just say I'm holding my breath."
