There will be many eyes on the activities and transfer dealings of Manchester City this January.
After the late summer takeover of the club by the Abu Dhabi-based business group and the consequent swoop of Robinho for a British record fee of £32.5 million, further flamboyant spending was expected for the winter window.
According to the Daily Star, City (together with Tottenham Hotspur), are chasing Chelsea's flair midfielder Joe Cole.
Cole has long been a Blue who has rarely lasted the full ninety minutes, and has often been regarded by past managers as a footballer suited to the bench. The fact that he has not finished a game he has started since September, is testament to Luis Felipe Scolari's concurrence with this view.
According to the Daily Star Cole has finally grown tired of the affair and wants assurances of his future. Considering Cole's ability, if he were to be put on the market, Manchester City and Tottenham would be unlikely to be the only two clubs interested in securing the player's services.
Elsewhere, the Mirror believe City are going to capitalise on the uncertainty of Argentine international Carlos Tevez's future by granting the player the long-term deal that he craves.
The British tabloid quote him as saying: "If a club comes up with a five-year contract I would have to think about it for myself and the future of my family."
They will, however, have to compete with Real Madrid for his signature.
Joe Cole is not the only player the Daily Star believe City are tracking, as they speculate that the club are about to embark on a Chelsea-like transfer splurge, and have printed rumours linking the club with Shay Given, Kolo Toure, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy, and Roque Santa Cruz.
The Sun on the other hand state that the Citizens are likelier to move for fewer players, who will fetch higher transfer fees, such as £24 million-rated Yaya Toure.They also state that midfielder Michael Johnson will be shown the exit door, with West Ham and Everton both alleged to have shown an interest.
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
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