Manchester City are fearful of having their ambitious transfer plans
jeopardised by unauthorised third parties trying to broker deals on their
behalf as the Barclays Premier League club wrestle for the first time with
some of the pitfalls of their newfound wealth.
It emerged yesterday that an Arab purporting to be an intermediary of Sheikh
Mansour, City’s billionaire owner, had approached the agent of Iker Casillas
twice in the past three months indicating that the club were prepared to
shatter the world transfer record with a €150million (about £128million)
offer to sign the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
While it is not uncommon for agents to attempt to muscle in on deals or for
others to be brought on board in an effort to drive through a particular
transfer, the behaviour of some individuals is becoming such a worry that
Garry Cook, the City executive chairman, felt compelled to issue a statement
yesterday denouncing such activity. City are concerned that genuine deals
could be affected or prices inflated if such events persist.
“Manchester City has a clear strategy for the future — we want the right
players who will take this club forward and through discussions and meetings
between myself, Mark Hughes and his technical staff, we have identified a
list of targets,” Cook said. “We will be working to bring those players to
the club ourselves and we have not given another party or individual a
mandate to negotiate on our behalf.
“Furthermore, we would also like to assure everyone concerned that we are
committed to recruiting only those players who we consider to be the very
best and most suitable for Manchester City in the future.”
Although Casillas was always a non-starter, City are working hard to bring
Gianluigi Buffon, the Juventus goalkeeper, to the club among a host of other
names. While Cook emphasised yesterday that a list of targets had been drawn
up, however, it is thought that some of Sheikh Mansour’s associates might be
trying to bring in players not necessarily chosen or recommended by Hughes.
Publicly, City deny this and it seems unlikely that the matter would come to a
head, although Hughes will endeavour to ensure that all transfer activity is
done on his terms. What is not in dispute, though, is that Sheikh Mansour is
eager for a complete overhaul of a squad that has struggled at times in the
league this season and which, for the moment at least, is not nearly strong
enough to compete for the title, the owner’s long-term aim.
As few as six present first-team players could be left around this time next
year. Hughes is eager to sign five or six players when the transfer window
opens in four weeks’ time, while there is likely to be a flurry of activity
next summer. Sven-Göran Eriksson signed eight players at a cost of close to
£50 million in the summer of 2007.
Meanwhile, City have been warned about the behaviour of their ballboys after
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United forward, had the ball hurled at him
during the derby match on Sunday. The incident happened late in the first
half at the City of Manchester Stadium as Ronaldo, who was later sent off
for a second bookable offence, was about to take a corner during United’s
1-0 win and was followed by a round of applause.
It resulted in Howard Webb, the referee, instructing Lee Mason, the fourth
official, to speak at half-time to City officials, who have reminded the
ballboys of their responsibilities.
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