CITY have been linked with a move for Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer.
The jet-heeled midfielder appears to be on his way out of St James' Park after boss Sam Allardyce admitted the club would consider bids for him.
City, West Ham and Tottenham could now swoop, report The Guardian.
Meanwhile, it seems Spurs' failure to land ex-City favourite Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea may make the purchase of Martin Petrov that little bit more difficult.
The Atletico Madrid ace is aware that White Hart Lane boss Martin Jol could now launch a counter-bid to that put together by the Blues.
Chances
City are prepared to pay £5.4m for the flier whose recent first-team chances in Madrid have been hindered by injury and Petrov has not said anything to disassociate himself from a move to England.
"I think my game would work in England. I have received other propositions from England," said Petrov.
Despite eleven goals in three pre-season outings so far, City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is still keen to add to his firepower and if Liverpool will not play ball with Peter Crouch and Yakubu decides to stay at Middlesbrough, he will turn his attentions to Santa Cruz at Bayern Munich and Mexican international Nery Castillo.
The 23-year-old striker is the right age for the Blues and has proved potent in front of goal at Olympiacos in Greece.
Eriksson may also move to bring in more experienced competition at goalkeeper where Nick Weaver's departure has left a hole. The City chief has been eyeing up Scott Carson at Liverpool, though the Anfield side may test how much Eriksson wants their England keeper by asking for midfielder Michael Johnson in exchange.
Munich 1860 have made an enquiry for Didi Hamann but may find it difficult to match his wages.
Would you like to see Dyer at City? Have your say.
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mr glum, east stand (23/07/2007 at 10:32)
Johnson for Carson? not much sense in that one either.
Holme Valley Knowledge. (23/07/2007 at 10:32)
I don't actually think we need a new keeper although I do rate Carson. Especially not at the expense of Johnson. We are short in midfield still and I'm sure that Johnson is far more important to us than a back up keeper. So no thanks to either Dyer or Carson.
Ste, Cheshire (23/07/2007 at 10:34)
proudtobeblue (23/07/2007 at 10:35)
bubba, cleethorpes (23/07/2007 at 10:35)
voodooman, Salford (23/07/2007 at 10:38)
phil (23/07/2007 at 10:42)
huggybear40, stalybridge (23/07/2007 at 10:42)
Bluearmy76, Manchester (23/07/2007 at 10:48)
The Kippax Kid, Irlam (Now London) (23/07/2007 at 10:49)
The Truth (23/07/2007 at 10:52)
Colin, Always Blue, Hollingworth, Hyde (23/07/2007 at 10:52)
I would like to see some quotes, instead of saying this paper thinks this and this paper thinks that!!
Lets give Petrov and Nery a deal they can't refuse, try and get the Aussie lad for left midfield, possibly look at Downing, and bring in an experienced centre half. Fae from Nantes looks like a good signing too if he accepts SGE's offer.
With these 5 or 6 additions mixing quality, experience and youth with our current squad we could be pushing top 8 this season.
In Sven We Trust. CTID
Dennis Law's Backheel, Salford (23/07/2007 at 10:53)
Hopefully, the MUEN will be as far off target with every other signing prediction they've made for us.
No idea how we played but again nice to see our Italian lads banging a few into the back of the ol onion bag. Long may it continue!
Steve (23/07/2007 at 10:53)
Also stop mentioning Johnson and Liverpool he is a great prospect and if he wants to have a chance to fulfil this he will stay with City.
Stumpy_MCFC, Dublin (23/07/2007 at 10:56)
Mr Ed (The Stables) (23/07/2007 at 10:57)
Bala Blue, Erm? Manchester? (23/07/2007 at 10:59)
But I don't think Sven is a big enough mug to sign him anyway.
Lunar, Derby (23/07/2007 at 11:02)
Of the signings we have made, none of them have even remotely been speculated in the nationals.
In Sven we trust.
Idle speculation like this, Crouch, Defoe and all the other yawn inducing guff can be treated as it deserves ¿ pap to fill the pages by `journalists¿ who have to, because doing otherwise would mean actually doing their job.
Fully, Dublin (23/07/2007 at 11:06)
Big Blue, Moston, Manchester (23/07/2007 at 11:09)
Besides, I thought the idea was to sign quality or is this story another example of shoddy journalism?
Allardyce doesn't want half-hearted players at Newcastle, step forward Keiron. City are looking for a pacy midfielder so we must be Dyers next destination.
Stu Bailey (23/07/2007 at 11:13)
Box-to-box central midfielder, two wingers and another striker are the priority for me.
Peter Hayes (23/07/2007 at 11:13)
bluecity, north stand (23/07/2007 at 11:20)
shaun goater is my son, manchester (23/07/2007 at 11:20)
The Blue Meanie, London (23/07/2007 at 11:21)