STUART Pearce has confirmed a major investment into Manchester City is looking more likely.

Blues owner John Wardle has been in intense negotiations with an un-named buyer for his stake in the Eastlands outfit, which could deliver some much-needed funds for Pearce to strengthen his squad in the summer.

While talks are still on-going and no announcements are imminent, it is widely expected they will eventually reach a successful conclusion.

Pearce has been kept informed of all developments and, while the former England star is more focused on ensuring his side maintain their recent upturn in results over the remaining four games, the reports he has received from Wardle are positive.

Negotiations

"Negotiations are always difficult but it is looking more likely," he said.

"The money men at the club are dealing with it and if something happens, they will be the first to tell me.

"This football club needs some investment, wherever it comes from, to put some more talent alongside the undoubted talent we have in the squad already."

It has been suggested in some quarters that the protracted negotiations over the successful buy-out at West Ham by a consortium headed by Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson was one of the major factors behind the Upton Park outfit's shambolic start to the season.

However, Pearce confirmed that whatever the future holds for City, nothing happening off the pitch has diverted attention away from the on-pitch performance.

"It hasn't distracted me," he said. "We are dealing with fine margins. If you take your eye off the ball you have a problem."

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