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Craig Bellamy is on his way to Manchester City – after
boss Mark Hughes made a new £10million-plus bid to see off
Tottenham.
The Welsh ace, 29, should be reunited with his old Wales and
Blackburn Rovers manager over the weekend as West Ham prepare to
accept the new offer.
City’s bid includes cash up front plus extra money in bonuses
and the Hammers seem sure to sell him and then keep hold of as many
of their other players as possible.
Hughes has been backed to buy Bellamy by his club’s money men,
but they have yet to increase their offers for team-mates Scott
Parker and Matthew Upson, while moves for Kolo Toure and Roque
Santa Cruz are uncertain.
Bellamy’s way to Manchester was cleared as City finally made a
bid for him alone – and put in a valuation better than Harry
Redknapp’s Spurs, who were still in the hunt despite signing
Jermain Defoe.
Hammers will let the striker know their decision today but it
looks likely that he is going to team up with Hughes again – and
gives the club’s coffers a badly-needed boost.
However West Ham’s strategy is to keep Parker and Upson and sell
just one of their so-called superstars, making the books balance by
letting other fringe men go.
Midfielder Lee Bowyer, 32, has joined Birmingham on loan until
the end of the season. He has featured in only seven games this
season.