MARK HUGHES’ own rough head count tells him that he has already been linked with around 70 players heading into the January transfer window.

 Virtually every top club in Europe has had one or more players mentioned in connection with a move to Eastlands.
 A few of the rumours have credence though most are the fanciful wishes of agents and bank managers.

 Of all the names most frequently mentioned some appear more often than others and if a chart was to be produced this is how the top six would look.

1 ROQUE SANTA CRUZ – the Paraguyan striker who will cost between £17-20 million to prise from Blackburn. City have twice bid for him before and the 27-year-old has been linked with the Blues almost since the day Hughes took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson.

2 CRAIG BELLAMY – another player the manager knows well having got the best out of him at Ewood Park and for Wales. Currently West Ham’s prized asset the 29-year-old is likely to fetch £10million with Spurs also interested.

3 WAYNE BRIDGE – there is no doubt that Hughes intends to bring in a left back in January and Chelsea’s 28-year-old England international is top of the list. He would cost between £6-8million to lure to Eastlands of the Blues can persuade the Londoners to sell.

4 MARCOS SENNA – although there have been vehement denials from Spain about the Villareal man’s availability he still keeps cropping up on a daily basis. Would fill the holding midfield role that was earmarked for Lassana Diarra until he signed for Real Madrid. At 32- years-old not one for the long term future and would cost up to £12million.

5  KOLO TOURE – Arsenal’s trusty Ivory Coast central defender is seen as a man who can also help Micah Richards and Nedum Onuoha develop their skills. Been in and out of the Gunners side this season and is said to be open to a change of scenery. The 27-year-old might cost around £5-7million.

6 JOLEON LESCOTT – It is no secret that the Blues would like to strengthen at the heart of the back four and the 26-year-old Everton man fits the bill and has the bonus of being left footed. He also bags his share of goals from set pieces something City have been notoriously bad at for many seasons. Everton would want to double their money on their £5.5million investment.

BUBBLING UNDER: there are several players who have come to prominence in the last few days and could force their way into the media chart including midfielder Scott Parker at West Ham and keeper Shay Given at Newcastle.