Pulis has got a healthy list of target going into the final few days of the transfer window, with strengthening in defence, midfield and attack on his mind.

Liverpool veteran Hyypia has already been the subject of one failed £2.5million bid but the Reds are believed to be willing to let him leave to fund their own last-gasp transfer action.

They are also looking to offload Pennant and have turned down on offer of around £3.5million from Blackburn. Paul Ince could yet up that bid for the 25-year-old but Stoke are reported to have made the first move with a joint £7.5million offer for him and Hyypia.

It is unclear how close that is to the Reds' valuation but Pulis was at Anfield on Wednesday night and did not deny his interest in the pair when quizzed the following morning.

He did, however, reveal his determination to get players in before the deadline. He told Sky Sports News: "We've been trying for ages to get players in. Obviously it's getting closer to the deadline, but I keep saying to everyone if we'll do business we'll do business with other clubs, we won't do in the media.

"I think the most important thing is we try and do our business in the right and proper manner.

"If we can do deals we'll do deals. I keep saying there are three parties involved and you have to get them to agree. That's the way it works."

Pulis would not be drawn on any of his targets but will seemingly turn to Danny Higginbotham if he cannot persuade Hyypia to move to the Britannia. He is free to leave Sunderland after they signed Anton Ferdinand and City will head off Wolves should they firm up their interest in their former skipper with a bid.

City are waiting to hear whether they can sign Lokomotiv Moscow winger Dramani on loan and were expected to switch their attentions to Akale if that move falls through.

Pulis has denied an interest in the Lens forward, though, and also finally put to bed rumours suggesting Valencia frontman Nikola Zigic could yet sign.

"Nikola is a player we have looked at and spoken to, but we will not be taking it any further," he told the club's official website.

"We have already identified other targets and are working tirelessly trying to get players in before the deadline."