Premier league debutantes Hull City have been linked with a move for SL Benfica striker Ariza Makukula. With Tigers manager Phil Brown looking to bring a forward to the KC Stadium before the Premiership season kicks off on 16th August.

Brown is still looking for a striker after bids to sign Kevin Davies from Bolton Wanderers and Marlon King from Wigan Athletic have proved unsuccessful this summer.

27-year-old Makukula only signed for Benfica in the January transfer window from La Liga team Sevilla after impressing on loan at Portuguese side Maritimo. With the Zaire-born Portuguese International featuring for The Eagles in the UEFA Cup last season.

Benfica are believed to be willing to sell Makukula, but the Tigers would have to come up with the £2.75million (€3.5m) Benfica paid Sevilla. In light of this, Hull are reported in the National press as having sent over a scouting team to run the rule over the Portuguese striker.