IPSWICH Town have reduced their asking price for Alan Lee, according to Hull City boss Phil Brown.The Tigers' second offer of £600,000 was rejected as too low a couple of weeks ago by Ipswich, who then told Hull how much they wanted.

By Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town have reduced their asking price for Alan Lee, according to Hull City boss Phil Brown.

The Tigers' second offer of £600,000 was rejected as too low a couple of weeks ago by Ipswich, who then told Hull how much they wanted.

But Brown believes he is getting closer to landing the former Rotherham and Cardiff City striker after the Blues lowered their asking price.

City have not yet made a third offer to meet the price but Brown is convinced he can still get his man after it was revealed he had knocked back new terms at Portman Road.

Town have not yet matched the three-year, £8,000-week offer reportedly waiting on the table at the KC Stadium and with Lee in the final year of his current contract, the player is in a strong negotiating position.

Brown said: “The deal is still alive. The bid was put on the table, was turned down but remains very much on the table.

“They [Ipswich] have now made contact with us and have now come down in their estimation of Alan Lee.

“It's not a game of bluff or a game of stick or twist, it's just a case of our estimation is where it's at.

“If Ipswich are happy with that estimation and are willing to accept the bid then he could still become a Hull City player.”

Blues boss Jim Magilton is hoping the man who got him 17 goals last season will stay and will not welcome another approach from City.

He said: “We have not heard anything more from Hull and I'm quite happy with that. We want Alan here with us.”

Although he is quite happy at Portman Road Lee, who has scored in pre-season matches including two on Tuesday night at Crawley Town, is keeping quiet about the situation. However it is also understood that he would be willing to talk to the Tigers if the clubs agree a fee, and that he has recently employed an agent.

Lee, 29 next month, enjoyed the most prolific season of his career in the last campaign and is considered to be approaching the peak of his powers, which is why Magilton is keen to keep him despite recently signing Pablo Counago.

Magilton wants competition for places up front. Jon Walters has excelled in pre-season and the manager is also hoping that Billy Clarke and Danny Haynes can continue their progress, while Jordan Rhodes is expected to come through more this year. Magilton also has Dean Bowditch coming back from injury.

Hull are also in talks with Newcastle United about teenage strike sensation Andy Carroll, who Magilton earlier confirmed he had contacted Sam Allardyce about as a possible loan signing.

Brown is a close friend of Magpies boss Allardyce, who has shown no indication yet that he is willing to loan Carroll out and has challenged him to fight for a first-team place.