IN THE KNOW
Neil Fissler reports all the latest hot gossip in the transfer market
HULL CITY are leading the race to sign Peterborough hit man Britt Assombalonga in the summer.
The 21-year-old joined Posh from Watford only last summer but they are already fighting to retain his services for next season.
Assombalonga signed a four-year deal when moving to London Road and has scored 30 goals in all competitions.
Scouts from Premier League clubs have been flocking to watch him in action in recent weeks.
Assombalonga, who had loan spells at Wealdstone, Braintree and Southend, has improved every season, stepping up through the divisions.
Hull boss Steve Bruce believes he has what it takes to make it in the top flight and could be ready to open his chequebook.
Posh director of football Barry Fry is bracing himself for more calls about the Zaire-born striker, who moved to this country when he was eight months old.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is another boss from the top flight who has taken a look at Assombalonga.
Fry will, however, demand a massive increase on the club record £1.5m Posh paid out to lure Assombalonga away from Watford. SHEFFIELD UNITED are ready to renew attempts to sign Worksop Town striker Leon Mettam, who suffered an ankle injury as he was about to sign for the club at the end of last year.
Mettam is now fit again and the Blades are ready to press ahead with plans to sign him despite interest from Crystal Palace. MILLWALL are among a clutch of Championship clubs who are taking a serious interest in Portsmouth midfielder Jed Wallace.
Wallace looks set to leave Fratton Park when his current contract runs out at the end of the season.
And he has so far resisted all attempts by Pompey to get him to sign a new deal.
Lions boss Ian Holloway has had a representative run the rule over Wallace in the last few weeks.
But the competition will be fierce with Burnley, who are closing in on promotion to the Premier League, interested along with Middlesbrough and Derby County.
Pompey will be entitled to compensation for the 20-year-old England U19-international who has been a firstteam regular for the last two seasons at Fratton Park.