Steve Bruce: 'Jermain Defoe could be too expensive'

Steve Bruce has warned Hull City supporters that the club are not close to securing a deal to sign Jermain Defoe.

The Tigers boss confirmed on Thursday that he was interested in signing the 32-year-old from Toronto, but he claims that the MLS club could price Hull out of a move for the England international.

"He might be too expensive," Bruce told reporters after his side were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday evening.

"If there is a chance we would be interested in him, but I don't want to get the hopes up of all the Hull supporters. There is a long way to go."

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Defoe has also been linked with Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City, while reports on the weekend suggested that Liverpool have been offered his services.