Tigers boss Steve Bruce wants to strengthen City’s midfield as he plots his side’s route to top flight safety, and is targeting a £3.9m swoop for the former Portsmouth ball winner.

Bruce splashed £14m on bringing in strikers Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long from Everton and West Brom last week.

But now he is looking to bolster his engine room after three successive league defeats which have left the Humberside outfit hovering just five points above the drop zone.

Ghana international Muntari, 29, is up for grabs at Milan following the sacking of coach Massimiliano Allegri last week.

Muntari, who joined AC on a free from bitter San Siro rivals Inter 18 months ago, was an automatic choice under Allegri.

Muntari was an FA Cup winner with Portsmouth during his first stint in England [GETTY]

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.