MANCHESTER: TRANSFER targets do not come bigger than the list of six drawn up by Manchester City.
According to The Independent, City's wealthy Arab owners are
determined to try and land a "world superstar" within next month's
transfer window. Their top targets: AC Milan?s Kaka and Barcelona?s
Lionel Messi.
The price they are willing to pay: Up to a staggering £70 million (S$159 million).Other names that have been discussed are Fernando Torres, Carlos Tevez,
Cristiano Ronaldo and Samuel Eto'o, with the Abu Dhabi owners eager to
add to their record British transfer purchase of Robinho, who moved to
City for £34 million on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Although it would appear almost impossible to prise any of the
players away from their clubs, City are determined to test their
resolve with a world-record fee - beating the £48 million that Real
Madrid paid to Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.
They believe that if they could sign Kaka or Messi, other big-name
players will follow, for soccer - as well as monetary - reasons.
A source told The Independent: "They really want to be a big club
and move to a new level, so they need to get a big player in, and that
would mean Kaka, Messi, Ronaldo or Tevez.
"Unless a player like that can be signed, it will be a struggle, and
the sooner it is done the better, which means trying to do so in
January. Then, others will follow."
City are also likely to grant the wish of their manager, Mark
Hughes, to acquire a few more modest names as he overhauls his squad.
Among those he has identified are Roque Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge, Lassana Diarra and Benfica's Luisao.
City are likely to be the busiest Barclays Premier League club
during next month's window period, because their Abu Dhabi owners had
only one day to enter the previous transfer market, following their
whirlwind purchase of the club in August.
Top of their list is undoubtedly Kaka. The Brazilian playmaker had
said that he was flattered by City's interest, and that he had spoken
to compatriots Robinho and Elano Blumer about the BPL.
City certainly hope that an offer of around £70 million would be too good for Milan to refuse.
Messi would appear to be a far less likely acquisition, given that
he is absolutely central to Barcelona's plans and the success they are
having.
City have also virtually ruled out an attempt to sign either Ronaldo
or Tevez, even though Tevez has still not sorted out his future at
Manchester United. Torres is regarded as an interesting case. Although
the Spanish striker is understood to be happy at Liverpool, the
finances of the club are such that an irresistible deal could be
offered to Anfield's American owners.
It appears that City's owners may be about to shake up the market.
THE SIX COVETED PLAYERS
KAKA
Had committed himself to Milan in the past; that resolve appears to be softening. The Italians may sell if the price is right.
LIONEL MESSI
The ultimate fantasy signing, but he is of supreme importance to
Barcelona, who would reject any bid. Will City match the buy-out clause
in his contract - in excess of £100 million?
FERNANDO TORRES
Does not have any desire to leave Liverpool. A £70-million bid, however, may tempt the Reds' American owners.
SAMUEL ETO'O
Fit and back in form, the Cameroonian was linked with a move away from
Barcelona in the summer. It would be interesting to see how his club
react.
CARLOS TEVEZ
Given his contract situation - a permanent deal has not yet been agreed
upon - and his peripheral role this season, a move could be on the
cards.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Although coveted by City's owners, his association with Man United makes him an unlikely top target.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น