Manchester City Want Gerrard, Lampard & Messi After Kaka

Few thought it could actually happen, but Manchester City are on the verge of signing Kaka from AC Milan for a world-record fee of €120 million.

And now UK tabloid The Daily Mail claims that the Sky Blues will soon set their sights on a trio of world-class targets: Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Such signings seemed impossible a couple of weeks ago, but the Citizens' astonishing pursuit of Milan's Brazilian superstar has warned clubs the world over that no player is untouchable.

Sky Blues boss Mark Hughes has maintained that he will focus only on the players he deems right for the club, a stance which has been supported by the recent purchase of Wayne Bridge.

But with Robinho already in the squad and Kaka seemingly on the way, clearly the Welshman has no problem with putting Abu Dhabi United Group's unrivalled spending power to use.

And it is true that even a one-club man like Gerrard is not impervious to the lure of financial incentives, as demonstrated when he almost abandoned Anfield for Stamford Bridge in 2004.

Nevertheless, it will take a remarkable upturn in City's fortunes - they currently lie four points above the relegation zone - to convince such players to even entertain the thought of leaving their respective clubs.

Those plans are for the summer, though, and presently the Premier League outfit are targeting the more pragmatic purchase of Nigel de Jong from Hamburger SV.

Mike Maguire, Goal.com

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