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Hughes: Man City still pursuing Adebayor, Terry
Source: Agencies |
July 15, 2009, Wednesday
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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is hopeful of adding Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor to his strike force and has not given up on his pursuit of Chelsea captain John Terry.
Bringing Adebayor to Man City seems the more likely prospect, potentially before the team goes to South Africa today for a three-match tour.
Negotiations were continuing between the clubs as the Togo international underwent a medical examination and sought a work permit.
"There's been discussions between ourselves and Arsenal but, as is my usual response about players that we haven't signed, really it's not the right time or place to discuss that - only in as much as yes, there has been contact," Hughes said. "There's a deal to be done possibly but it's not been concluded as we speak. Until it actually happens, really it's not the time or the place to discuss it here."
If Adebayor signs, he would take City's collection of attacking players to 10. Hughes was speaking as his latest signing, Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, was presented after signing a five-year deal to link up with Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz.
City has been able to attract top players since being bought by a wealthy member of Abu Dhabi's royal family, despite the club having not won the English league since 1968.
City has had two bids rebuffed by Chelsea for Terry, who has spent his entire career at the club. Terry, who also captains England, is still wanted by Hughes, who "may revisit it" with another bid.
"We would like to think we could offer John a different challenge," said Hughes, who played for Chelsea in the 1990s. "He's been at Chelsea a long time and I know from my own experience as a player that when you have been with a club for a long time you get to a point when you think you need a new challenge and that a change of scenery would re-ignite certain things within you."
Hughes highlighted that Terry was yet to commit himself to Chelsea since City's interest re-emerged in recent weeks.
"It is not a question of finance, or money, it is about a different challenge, and John being at a different stage in his life and his career, and maybe that is why there hasn't been a response (committing to Chelsea)," Hughes said. "John is seriously thinking in those terms. I went through that process myself as a player and I can understand if that is the way he is thinking."
The approach for Terry shows that Hughes isn't just focused on supplementing his attacking options.
"The idea is to have players of the highest quality in key areas of the field," Hughes said. "You need the options and flexibility to change things. To have top players in key areas who can produce moments of magic to win games when the team are struggling is invaluable."
Chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak is targeting a top-six finish.
"We have good players who have ability and potential," Hughes said. "Now we must work exceptionally hard as a group to make sure Manchester City get the success they have been longing for many years.
"But it is a long season and there are other clubs who want the same prizes as ourselves and will work exceptionally hard to make it more difficult for us to achieve what we want, but we feel we can compete. Whether or not we can get to the top table this year only time will tell."
Bringing Adebayor to Man City seems the more likely prospect, potentially before the team goes to South Africa today for a three-match tour.
Negotiations were continuing between the clubs as the Togo international underwent a medical examination and sought a work permit.
"There's been discussions between ourselves and Arsenal but, as is my usual response about players that we haven't signed, really it's not the right time or place to discuss that - only in as much as yes, there has been contact," Hughes said. "There's a deal to be done possibly but it's not been concluded as we speak. Until it actually happens, really it's not the time or the place to discuss it here."
If Adebayor signs, he would take City's collection of attacking players to 10. Hughes was speaking as his latest signing, Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, was presented after signing a five-year deal to link up with Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz.
City has been able to attract top players since being bought by a wealthy member of Abu Dhabi's royal family, despite the club having not won the English league since 1968.
City has had two bids rebuffed by Chelsea for Terry, who has spent his entire career at the club. Terry, who also captains England, is still wanted by Hughes, who "may revisit it" with another bid.
"We would like to think we could offer John a different challenge," said Hughes, who played for Chelsea in the 1990s. "He's been at Chelsea a long time and I know from my own experience as a player that when you have been with a club for a long time you get to a point when you think you need a new challenge and that a change of scenery would re-ignite certain things within you."
Hughes highlighted that Terry was yet to commit himself to Chelsea since City's interest re-emerged in recent weeks.
"It is not a question of finance, or money, it is about a different challenge, and John being at a different stage in his life and his career, and maybe that is why there hasn't been a response (committing to Chelsea)," Hughes said. "John is seriously thinking in those terms. I went through that process myself as a player and I can understand if that is the way he is thinking."
The approach for Terry shows that Hughes isn't just focused on supplementing his attacking options.
"The idea is to have players of the highest quality in key areas of the field," Hughes said. "You need the options and flexibility to change things. To have top players in key areas who can produce moments of magic to win games when the team are struggling is invaluable."
Chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak is targeting a top-six finish.
"We have good players who have ability and potential," Hughes said. "Now we must work exceptionally hard as a group to make sure Manchester City get the success they have been longing for many years.
"But it is a long season and there are other clubs who want the same prizes as ourselves and will work exceptionally hard to make it more difficult for us to achieve what we want, but we feel we can compete. Whether or not we can get to the top table this year only time will tell."
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