Darragh MacAnthony Officially Confirms that Peterborough United Has Accepted Hull City’s Bid

Jan. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Hull City manager Nigel Pearson launched a £2m double raid for Peterborough United strikers Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith after failing with a bid for Swindon Town's Charlie Austin.

The move came less than a week after East Yorkshire businessmen Assem and Ehab Allam completed a £40m takeover at the KC Stadium and sends a clear statement of intent to the rest of the Championship.

The Tigers are also set to extend the loan of Manchester United striker Cameron Stewart until the summer while moves to keep Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala and Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone, both currently on loan, are also in the pipeline.

Pearson had been chasing Leicester striker Matty Fryatt but may now have solved his attacking problems. Any moves cannot be completed until New Year's Day.

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony confirmed that Hull had been granted permission to speak to Mclean. It is understood that Hull's bid for Mackail-Smith is still on the table. On Mclean, Darragh MacAnthony said: "Hull put a firm offer in, it was rejected and then they put an offer in that was accepted. It's a sad day to see him go but he's done us proud and now he gets to move on and have a chance to have a go at the Premier League if they get promoted this season."

Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton said: "Hull City made an offer for Charlie Austin 48 hours ago and it was immediately rejected. Charlie Austin is not for sale."