Adebayor set for City, Terry next
Emmanuel Adebayor is set to become Manchester City's next
signing - while another bid for Chelsea centre-back John Terry is
on the cards.
As Carlos Tevez was being unveiled, Adebayor was undergoing a
medical and if a work permit is granted for the Togo forward, he
could be on the flight to South Africa for City's three-match tour
along with a growing number of star names.
And if that was not enough, Hughes has certainly not given up on
the prospect of signing Terry, even though he is currently adopting
a diplomatic stance to a situation that may begin to unravel at
Stamford Bridge as Chelsea attempt to discover their captain's
intentions before they leave for the USA on Thursday.
"I have had fantastic respect for John Terry since I saw him as
a young player when I was at Chelsea," said Hughes. "He is a great
player and an outstanding captain. Any manager would covet a player
like that.
"But we have to respect he plays for Chelsea."
How long for remains to be seen. However, it certainly appears
Adebayor's days at Arsenal are numbered.
City officials remained silent on the prospect of a £25million
transfer being speeded through, although Hughes - given his general
reluctance to discuss possible new recruits - rather gave the game
away by first confirming talks had taken place, then suggesting
they were at quite an advanced stage.
"There has been discussions between ourselves and Arsenal," he
said.
"It is not the right time or place to discuss it but yes, there
has been contact and possibly there is a deal to be done.
"It has not been concluded as we speak. Until it happens, it is
not the time or the place to talk about it."
If the deal goes through, it would bring the number of strikers
at City's disposal to 10, four of which would have arrived since
January alone, starting with Craig Bellamy.
Spending since June 2008 would be touching £200million, with
Hughes confirming City are still in the market for top-class
talent, presumably defenders now with Joleon Lescott another
target, in the most amazing spending spree English football has
ever seen.
"The idea is to have players of the highest quality in key areas
of the field," he said. "You need the options and flexibility to
change things. To have top players in key areas who can produce
moments of magic to win games when the team are struggling is
invaluable."
Earlier in the summer, chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak stated a
top-six place was the aspiration for next term.
However, at that time the Abu Dhabi United Group were preaching
caution in the transfer market.
Either funds that would make Real Madrid appear like skinflints
are going to be made available in 12 months' time, or the original
policy has changed - and presumably the targets as well.
"The aim is to be as successful as we can," he said. "We have
good players who have ability and potential.
"Now we must work exceptionally hard as a group to make sure
Manchester City get the success they have been longing for many
years.
"But it is a long season and there are other clubs who want the
same prizes as ourselves and will work exceptionally hard to make
it more difficult for us to achieve what we want.
"But we feel we can compete. Whether or not we can get to the
top table this year only time will tell. But the aim is there."
