City close in on Adebayor

City close in on Adebayor
(PA) Wednesday 15 July 2009
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A work permit for Emmanuel Adebayor appears to be the only thing standing between Manchester City and yet another jaw-dropping £25million signing.

Even before Carlos Tevez put the finishing touches to a five-year deal, rumours were circulating that Adebayor was undergoing a medical after a fee had been agreed with Arsenal. Then it emerged he will attempt to secure a work permit - which should be nothing more than a formality - before heading off to South Africa, via Abu Dhabi for a brief meeting with the Blues owners.

City officials remained silent on the prospect of the 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.
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.
Mark Hughes on Emmanuel Adebayor

"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 whom 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 - in the most amazing spending spree English soccer has ever seen.

And while a move for John Terry has not paid dividends just yet, Hughes knows what a capture the England skipper would be. It means City are virtually certain to go back with a third bid for the Chelsea star he first noticed during his own spell at Stamford Bridge well over a decade ago.

"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."