Sources close to Blackburn Rovers on Monday night revealed that there had been interest shown by more than one Premier League club in Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz.
And it is widely expected that Carlos Tevez's future will be decided on Thursday morning with the Blues thought to be in pole position to clinch the Argentine star's signature.
Blues boss Mark Hughes would like both men for a combined cost approaching £40m.
Santa Cruz has long been Hughes' target man of choice and, now that the 27-year-old is confident of his fitness after a knee operation, the City chief is ready to rekindle interest - though not at the £18m Rovers have previously demanded.
City, who have made at least four previous attempts to sign Santa Cruz, are likely to offer around £12m with the selling club receiving further increments if the move is a success.
Aston Villa, ironically boosted by the money that City gave them last week for England star Gareth Barry, are also thought to be in the hunt for Santa Cruz.
Intentions
Tevez, meanwhile, will be part of the Argentina squad that faces Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier in Quito on Wednesday afternoon and is likely to announce his intentions immediately afterwards.
United are also waiting in the wings to discover his decision. Last week, it is understood, the Reds agreed with the Argentine's owners to pay the £25.5m fee to make permanent the Old Trafford move agreed two years ago when Tevez switched from West Ham on loan.
But it is believed they want to spread the cost over the length of any new contract if he decides to stay. That leaves the deal at the mercy of the Blues who have the financial muscle to satisfy both Tevez's owners and double his wages.
City's cause has been further strengthened by Real Madrid's £56m capture of Kaka from AC Milan, while Liverpool, who were also keen on Tevez, have been ruled out by their off-field financial crisis.
Should the Blues get the 25-year-old it would be another stunning statement of intent as well as enraging United fans who have made Tevez a cult hero.
Meanwhile, City target Samuel Eto'o's agent has admitted that the Cameroon international would find it hard to turn down an offer that would see his personal earnings increase dramatically, but that he is not actively looking to leave the European champions.
What do you make of the moves? Have your say.
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senseii, the third elephant under the turtle (09/06/2009 at 08:56)
blue-uwe-blue '09-'13 (09/06/2009 at 09:00)
yes yes yes to carlos :)
George Kane, Stretford (09/06/2009 at 09:04)
wrighty city, city (09/06/2009 at 09:08)
Next John Terry!
Didi nose best, Salford (09/06/2009 at 09:12)
Urmston Blue, Manchester (09/06/2009 at 09:14)
Drew Peacock (09/06/2009 at 09:14)
But patience is a virtue, lets get some stability in the owners, management and squad and then the success with follow!
Its coming and it is exciting but let us all remember that top 4 is not on the agenda this season, it would just be a very big bonus!
Eric, Dutch, 33 years and still here (09/06/2009 at 09:17)
I would like to see where this is going. If these two players are ours, I don't see why we should seek further interest in Eto'o and Santa Cruz. But I doubt Dzeko will come. I'm not even sure if we indeed put a bid in for him, let alone shown any interest other for his agent to try and get a good deal at Wolfsburg. Tevez would be a great asset, and a nice few days of mickeying our friends from the dark side.
I'm not sure about Santa Cruz. He did very well under Hughes and my only hope is that this happens again if he would come. But otherwise his trackrecord at Bayern and Rovers is not one to get very excited about.
Tolmie's Tash! (09/06/2009 at 09:20)
Formerly Aussie Blue - Back In Manc, UK (09/06/2009 at 09:22)
Ewesy, Workington (09/06/2009 at 09:30)
Big Phil Cumbria
mat005 (09/06/2009 at 09:33)
The Original Blue John, London (09/06/2009 at 09:38)
uzirugby (09/06/2009 at 09:39)
Tevez would be the signing of the summer no doubt, and if we can add a target ma to go with him Dzeko or Santa Cruz then I would say that up front we are solid. If Eto'o can be got at too then what an amazing forward line up. Hopefully this will be the case and we can the look at other areas.
We no doubt need defensive reinforcements, possibly Kolo Toure, who is an excellent defender and appears to be very keen on joining us. Other possible targets, Lescott quality player if an offer were to be made then I can see him signing within hours!
In midfield we now have Gareth Barry who will give us balance and control in the centre ideal for Ireland and Robinho to play off him.
We should look at another winger possibly Bentley, however I can see Tevez playing a more right hand side role, with a target man in the centre and Robinho on the left. SWP will play in a more out and out winger role that looks like a possible 4-3-3 system.
Super players that would be amazing signigs if they can be got at -
David Villa - Pure Class
David Silva- Can play right or left side
Ribery- Everyone knows what pure class is and that is Frank!
Eto'o - Pure class would score many goals for us
Sergio Ramos- would be a class act centre back
blue-uwe-blue '09-'13 (09/06/2009 at 09:40)
Captain Superman, Manchester (09/06/2009 at 09:41)
Portsmouth Blue (09/06/2009 at 09:43)
As for tevez this is a done deal and will prove one of the best buys of the window.
Gealach Gorm, Galway Ireland (09/06/2009 at 09:44)
O Neill looked a bit more deranged than usual at the end of last season but I don't think even he needs Heskey, Carew and Santa Cruz. It is just Alladyce playing silly buggers trying to get a better price for a centre forward who spends more time on his back than it is a wonder David Pleat hasn't made an offer
Oh My God We've Struck Oil !, Stockport (09/06/2009 at 09:44)
He has won all the major honours with Barca so make an offer he cannot refuse and sell him the MCFC dreamticket .
It really eats me away to think we might be lining fat Sams pockets,I know Blackburn are no threat but its just the thought of him sat at his desk flicking through the millions we have just handed over for RSC and laughing at us for the fee we have paid ,put that picture in your haed and you will know what I mean!
Stolen from Ivor, Manchester (09/06/2009 at 09:46)
The Admiral Mann (09/06/2009 at 09:47)
AlexC83, Manchester (09/06/2009 at 09:47)
But we can afford to take the risk and we're crying out for a player of his stature so why not? I've said before we need to buy a santa cruz or ashton or crouch type striker more than a tevez (just cos it gives us another option/way to play).
But that obviously doesn't mean we can't have both...
Blueted, Altrincham (09/06/2009 at 09:49)
For those of you who quite rightly question his injury record I think what you have to bear in mind is that RSC will not be the only striker coming to us.
In other words we can afford to have a gamble because on his day he is a handful for any defence.
So if we end up with Bojinov, Robinho, RSC, Tevez, Bellamy plus 1 other that would be a powerful selection of stikers to choose from with or without injuries.
By the way I have met RSC a few times and he is a class act who conducts himself in a very professional manner and would be a credit to the club.
What an exciting pre season this is going to be.....
Peter Beagrie`s beagle (09/06/2009 at 09:49)
RSC for my money is not good enough for us, Eto`o yes please, and again I think the money could persuade him.
Bring it on!! CTID
The Colin, Stoke On Trent (Mancunian Reject) (09/06/2009 at 09:50)