Manchester City will make a £12 million bid for Kolo
Touré, the Arsenal centre back, now that the North London club have
concluded the signing of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax.
City tried to sign Touré in January, but while Arsène Wenger was
loath to lose the defender in mid-season, the manager has accepted
that Touré wants to leave and would rather sell now than lose him
for nothing when his contract expires next summer.
With the African Cup of Nations taking place in Angola in
January, Wenger is also aware that he would probably lose the Ivory
Coast defender for about a month anyway.
Mark Hughes, the City manager, wants to pair Touré with Joleon
Lescott, 26, of Everton and England, to form a more balanced,
new-look central defence next season.
Hughes wants a left-footed central defender who can also operate
at left back if necessary, but with Everton opposed to selling
Lescott and likely to demand at least £20 million, Hughes may turn
to Matthew Upson, of West Ham United.
City are expected to make their second signing of the summer
early next week, when Roque Santa Cruz joins from Blackburn Rovers
in a deal that could be worth up to £18 million.
With William Gallas, the France defender, likely to follow Touré
out of the exit door, Wenger is in the market for another centre
back and is monitoring Sébastien Bassong, 22, the Newcastle United
defender.
Vermaelen, 23, who has signed a four-year contract, will cost up
to £10.2 million.
