Manchester
City 'in talks' with Valencia over £30m David Silva but big
spenders face fight with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and
Juventus
In limbo: Silva had been lined up by Real Madrid,
but Jose Mourinho has identified other priority signings
Manchester
City have stepped up to bid to sign
Valencia midfielder David Silva in a bid to see off increasing
interest from Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and
Juventus.
City chief executive Garry Cook reportedly had face-to-face
talks with Valencia president Manuel Llorente on Wednesday and
another meeting is planned.
The Barclays Premier League big-spenders are not believed to
have submitted a formal offer yet, but would hope to do a deal for
less than Valencia's price tag of about £30million.
Real Madrid had lined up a move for the 24-year-old, only for
new boss Jose Mourinho to identify more pressing targets and leave
the deal in limbo.
However, reports in Italy suggest there is serious competition
from Inter Milan and Juventus. New Inter boss Rafa Benitez is a
confirmed admirer of his former Valencia student and hopes to pair
him at the San Siro with Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.
And now Juventus have entered the race, but are seen as
outsiders. They have just clinched a deal for Sunderland target
Simone Pepe and Milos Krasic - another wide man - is on the way
from CSKA Moscow, while free agent Joe Cole is an alternative to
Silva.
Turin-bound: Milos Krasic Juve alternative: Joe
Cole
Barcelona have also re-entered the race for a player
they looked at last summer. The Spanish champions have Silva lined
up as a contingency following increasingly difficult negotiations
to land Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.
Barca will not give up on the Gunners captain for some time and
City could see off the Catalans by moving quickly for Silva, though
Spain's imminent departure for the World Cup in South Africa could
put everyone on hold until after the tournament.
City are also said to have enquired about 25-year-old Valencia
Pablo Hernandez, another international right winger, who failed to
make the World Cup squad.
Manchester City have swooped to capture highly-rated Swindon
teenager Alex Henshall for an undisclosed fee.
The 16-year-old, who made two substitute appearances for Danny
Wilson's side last season, is part of the England youth set-up and
regarded as one of the country's most promising youngsters.
Liverpool had also been interested in the youngster, Robins
chairman Andrew Fitton confimed.