HAVING shored up his midfield, City boss Mark Hughes will next look to strengthen the front and back of his team.

Following Gareth Barry's arrival for £12m, Hughes wants to add at least two strikers to his squad.

Carlos Tevez remains high on the wanted list but Hughes is also adamant that he needs a physically imposing and aerially combative hitman.

He continues to be linked with Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn and Peter Crouch from Portsmouth.

The Blues boss knows all about the pair but is keeping tabs on a potentially cheaper option in Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Edin Dzeko.

City watched the 23-year-old several times this season as he bagged 30 goals in 33 appearances for German champions Wolfsburg. Dzeko's exploits saw him named Germany's footballer of the year and, although Wolfsburg secured Champions League football, he could be ripe for a move to the Premier League.

Wolfsburg paid around £3m for Dzeko and would look to triple their outlay.

History

Powerful in the air, the 6ft 3in forward added 10 assists to his 30 goals and, alongside the 30-year-old Brazilian Grafite, formed the most successful partnership in Bundesliga history.

Sarajevo-born Dzeko has played 17 times for his country and bagged a dozen goals. He has seven in the current World Cup qualifying campaign as his country sits second to Spain in Group Five.

City will also be interested by comments last night from Barcelona president Joan Laporta regarding Samuel Eto'o, a player linked with the Blues.

"We want him to continue with us and for him to retire in the Barca shirt," said Laporta. "But the market is very dynamic and there could be surprises. He's a wanted man and we know he'll receive offers."

Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto, who also plays in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich, has stated he would be interested in a move to Eastlands. He said: "Manchester City's interest is right at the top of the list. They want to get into Europe and I am wanted to help them."

But countryman Elano could be on his way out of Eastlands after issuing a `come-and-get-me' plea to Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, the Blues are unlikely to renew their interest in Kaka with the Brazilian in the middle of a tangled transfer saga.

Despite the former world player of the year, who was the subject of a £100m City bid in January, saying he wants to stay at AC Milan, it is thought he will move to Real Madrid for a world record £56m on Monday.

Chelsea last night denied reports they had made a £73.5m bid for Kaka to follow new boss Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge.