Top targets: City boss Mark Hughes wants Senna, Bridge,
Santa Cruz and Bellamy
Mark Hughes is closing in on at least four new signings
after being given the ammunition to lead Manchester City up the Barclays Premier
League table. Rather than sacking Hughes, the club's new owners
will show impressive support for their manager. Sportsmail has learned of a list of
players Hughes hopes will save his job, including two strikers -
Blackburn centre forward Roque
Santa Cruz and West Ham's
Craig Bellamy.
City hope they will be joined by
Chelsea left back Wayne Bridge and Villarreal's midfield
general Marcos Senna. The total outlay will not leave much change
from £40million. Hughes appears to have been able to select the
players himself, despite it previously being believed that the
club's owners were insisting on high profile signings to boost
their image.
Instead, Hughes is bringing in his own men - three of whom he
has worked with before and who therefore know his methods. Hughes
said after Sunday's 2-1defeat at West Bromwich, which left City in
the Premier League relegation zone: 'It's clear we need help. We
are working hard to adjust things in the transfer window.
'We will bring in quality players to ensure that the club moves
forward in the transfer window. There are no guarantees as to how
many we will bring in, but we have to sign players who will make an
immediate impact.'
Hughes has been given a vast transfer budget- as well as
assurances about his job from the highest level - but wants players
he knows and can trust for the next phase of City's rebuilding
plan.
'Right now, Mark needs players he knows, players who will bring
pace and quality to the team,' a top level transfer source reported
last night. 'He needs to start building his own team.
'He wants players who know the ropes and who can make an instant
impact in the English league.' City are 'disappointed' to have lost
out on Lassana Diarra, who signed for Real Madrid from Portsmouth
on Sunday night.
City refused to pay what they considered 'ridiculous money' to
go-betweens to secure the service of the former Chelsea and Arsenal
player. Instead, powerhouse Senna - who inspired Spain to their
Euro 2008 victory in the summer, is expected to fill the midfield
holding role.
City's poor performance at West Bromwich, which left them three
points off the foot of the table, showed Hughes how quickly he
needs to make changes. 'He knows he needs more firepower,' said the
source. 'Santa Cruz and Bellamy up alongside Robinho will at least
give City a cutting edge with pace.'
Hughes has been given assurances about his position and will be
judged on how his January purchases perform as City aim to move
away from danger and up the Premier League table.
