NEWCASTLE transfer target Stephen Hunt has revealed he has an agreement to leave Hull City following their relegation from the Premier League.

Hunt was the subject of a £5m bid from Wolves in January, but Hull chairman Adam Pearson opted to turn down the Midlands club’s offer.

However, he promised Hunt he would be free to leave the KC Stadium this summer if the Tigers were unable to retain their top-flight status.

Their relegation will be confirmed tomorrow evening, and with Newcastle boss Chris Hughton poised to make a formal approach for Hunt’s services, the Republic of Ireland international has spelled out his determination to leave Humberside once the transfer window re-opens.

“I presume the club will want to sell me in terms of the overall financial structure,”

said the 28-year-old, whose current contract runs until 2013.

“I didn’t want to go. If we had stayed up, I’d have been happy to stay at Hull, but we’re not in the Premier League now and they may need to sell me. If I do move on, it will be with a clear conscience, and I can be honest about that.

“In January, we had an agreement that they would sell me due to the financial situation that would arise from relegation.

“The chairman has been very good to me. He said once I gave my all for Hull, he’d have no problem in honouring that agreement for me to go.

“I have done that, I have done well for Hull. Unfortunately, I haven’t delivered as much as I’d like because we’ve been relegated.”

Newcastle will face stiff competition for Hunt’s signature, with Wolves boss Mick McCarthy set to launch another attempt to acquire the former Reading midfielder’s services.

West Brom have also been credited with an interest, although neither Black Country club would be able to match Newcastle’s contract offer despite Mike Ashley’s pledge to rein in spending at St James’.

Matching Hull’s asking price could be another matter, although Hunt has hinted that Tigers chairman Adam Pearson will accept less than the £5m he turned down in January as a result of his club’s precarious financial position.

The Irishman will miss Hull’s final game of the season against Liverpool because of a foot injury, and could struggle to attain full fitness ahead of the opening game of next season.

“The club say they will be willing to sell me at a reduction of the price they’d have got for me in January,” said Hunt. “I have no idea what that reduction will be, or if a club will come up with the money. All I can do is concentrate on getting fit and see what happens.”

Meanwhile, second-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul has urged Newcastle officials to enter into negotiations over a new contract.

Krul is about to enter the final year of his current deal on Tyneside, and while he has no desire to leave ahead of a return to the Premier League, he is seeking some assurances over Newcastle’s desire to keep him.

“It’s going to be harder next season, and I hope I can stay, but the club has to tell me they want to keep me – that’s the main part,” said the Dutchman. “I’ve got a year left, so we’ll see what the club says. I want to stay, because I love Newcastle.”