The Tigers manager is yet to contact the 29-year-old former England international - and his club was not among those sent a glossy brochure outlining his qualities.

However, he is hoping to arrange face-to-face talks after Owen's Newcastle United deal expires at midnight next Tuesday.

Brown said: "He is still connected to a football club, we haven't been given permission by that football club to talk to him, so we will honour that.

"But he will be available from 1st July and hopefully Michael will give us the time of day and we can get around a table, then who knows?"

Brown confirmed his interest in Owen last week, and Stoke City manager Tony Pulis too has admitted he would be interested in talking to the former Liverpool and Real Madrid frontman.

The player's recent injury history and wage demands are considerations both clubs would have to take into account, while there is also interest from overseas clubs with Turkish side Galatasaray having been strongly linked with him.

good start

However, Brown stresses his interest in taking Owen to the KC Stadium is genuine and would represent a coup both for him and his club.

He said: "There's no such thing as a free transfer. It is obviously a very attractive proposition with regard to Hull City.

"To bring, not a former international, a present international, an England international to the club would be a great achievement not only for myself personally, but also for the football club.

"Yes, it is one we are interested in. It isn't a throw-away comment, it is a genuine interest.

"As a free transfer, that would be an interesting prospect for a number of clubs.

"Yes, if we could sit down around a table with Michael and his advisors and maybe draft a deal up that would be workable for both sides, who knows?

"It could be a good start to the transfer market for us."