Media mogul Paul Duffen, who headed a consortium which bought Hull last month, aims to take the club into the top flight within the next three years.

Following the arrival of Bryan Hughes and Richard Garcia, the capture of Brazilian midfielder Juninho would serve as another signal of their intent.

Positive talks were held over the weekend between the player, Duffen and Hull manager Phil Brown - with a final decision expected by the end of this week.

Juninho is currently a free agent following his departure from Brazilian side Flamengo in May, and his agent, Jonathan Hassall, told PA Sport: "Juninho was very impressed with Paul and Phil's plans and it's obvious that Hull are gearing up to get into the Premier League.

"Juninho still has a burning ambition to play in the top flight, because he could still do a job there, so if he was going to come to the Championship then it needs to be a club with the ambition to get promoted.

"Hull have got good facilities and a great fanbase, and it's a similar scenario to when Juninho first went to Middlesbrough in 1995.

"Yes, Boro were in the Premier League but things had only just taken off there and the potential to achieve something similar at Hull is clearly there."

Hull is the largest city in the country never to have had a top-flight team but their recent takeover has encouraged hopes of finally reaching the promised land.

And while it has suffered more than its fair share of image problems, Hassall has not doubts that Juninho would feel at home in Hull.

Hassall added: "Paul was saying that it's the seventh biggest city in England, so the potential is clearly huge.

"And Hull is a nice place now. Juninho didn't have a problem living in Yarm when he played for Middlesbrough and there are plenty of nice areas in Hull.

"Talks are ongoing and we're expecting a final decision by the end of the week."

Juninho has flown back to his native Brazil and Hassall will continue negotiations on his behalf.

Juninho was not only impressed with Hull's ambition but also Brown's apparent commitment to attacking football after last season's fraught battle against relegation.

"Juninho was very impressed with what Phil said and they seemed to share the same philosophies about the game," added Hassall.

"That's important to Juninho because he needs to know where his role would be in the team.

"Obviously no-one has a right to start every game but it is important that he plays for somebody who plays football in the right way. Again, Hull seem to fit the bill in that respect."