Hull City manager Steve Bruce wants to strengthen his midfield and has targeted a £3.9m swoop for Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari.

Bruce will be seeking to reunite with the Ghana international after both worked together at Sunderland three seasons ago.

The future of Muntari at AC Milan has been speculated following the sacking of coach Massimiliano Allegri last week.

The 29-year-old, who joined AC on a free from bitter San Siro rivals Inter 18 months ago, was an automatic choice under Allegri.

But he was instantly axed and dumped on the bench by new boss Clarence Seedorf for Milan’s 1-0 win over Verona on Sunday night.

And a source revealed: “AC would ideally like to off load Muntari this month. If they don’t cash-in on him now, they will lose him for nothing when his contract runs out in the summer.

“He was close to Allegri and one of the former coach’s key players in the team. But that is no longer the case, and it appears his days at the San Siro are numbered.

“Sulley would welcome a return to England and the chance to work with Steve Bruce again.

“Bruce took him on loan from Inter when he was in charge at Sunderland three years ago, and Muntari has a big respect for the Hull manager.”

Muntari had one season in the Premier League with Pompey and helped them win the FA Cup six years ago before leaving Fratton Park in a £12.7m switch to Inter in July 2008.