But here is the scenario you'll most likely face.
Lose him to a lower-PL club for money or lose him to a lower-PL club for free.
I can't see many in the top half even being interested to be honest. He's got undoubted talent, but his achilles heel is his injury record.

emoticon-0105-wink
I think Palace would be bigger mugs than you for that price at this time.
1) HCAFC will evaluate his injury situation. They have hardened their stance on "injury prone" larkers after the Bullard fiasco.
2) If it looks promising for a full recovery, they'll reach a contract deal with him...he respects Bruce, and Bruce rates him. If it looks dicey (injury), he may become available. He will not come cheap, he's already made his presence felt in the PL. Bigger clubs (bench warming) would not be for him. He's ambitious, but wants to play.
3) He seems happy in Hull. It's a progressive club and he's part of it. That's important to any player. Big fish in smallish pond (aka Waggy).
4) London is not an overriding consideration for him. FFS, he went to Brummy & Glasgow Rangers. (Can't recall, was he at Wigan also ?).
5) He's one of City's "key" assets, and Bruce will in no uncertain terms make that perfectly clear to the Allams. He'll be crucial to City if they stay up. A deal will be made.
6) He's a bright lad. Brum & Rangers were stepping stones. Bigger pond may lure him if City get relegated, but to no-one with a greater chance of relegation this year.
7) 2 year contract with escape clause if City relegated (or big club comes in with crazy offer). He's not gonna get one elsewhere
8) Whatever the article said (I can't be bothered to read it), it'll be bollox. They know sod all.