We Are In Discussions With Arsenal Over Adebayor - Manchester City Boss Hughes

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes confirmed today that he has had contact with Arsenal over their spearheading striker Emmanuel Adebayor. According to the Welshman, "discussions" have been made between the two clubs, but he feels it is not right to make further comments about a player who is not contracted to his club.

Hughes, entering his second year as City boss, has overseen a rapid revolution at Eastlands as ageing forwards such as Darius Vassell, now of Ankaragucu, have been replaced with samba star Robinho. Roque Santa Cruz has been added to the artillery, together with Carlos Tevez, who finalised a £25 million deal earlier today.

Should the money-laden Blue side secure the services of Adebayor, too, then he will become the third striker to join City in the current transfer window.

Hughes admitted to the press today, "There have been discussions between ourselves and Arsenal, however, it is not the right time or place to discuss that.

"There has been contact, and there is a possible deal to be had," he confirmed.

On bolstering other areas of the field, he added, "There may well be opportunities that present themselves... there are still positions we want strengthening."

When pressed for his thoughts on the Carlos Tevez transfer, Hughes said, "For Manchester City, Tevez is good value for money. To be able to bring one of the top strikers in world football is fantastic for the club, the fans, and everyone linked to the club."

A recent report on kickoff.com indicated that City chief executive Garry Cooke had informed South African radio station Metro FM that Robinho would be a definite attendee of the club's squad for the pre-season tournament; the Vodacom Cup.

Cooke later went on to say, according to the report, that the attendance of the club's two latest recriuts, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor, is yet to be confirmed.

British broadsheet The Guardian believe that City are ready to make Adebayor the highest paid Premier League star by offering the Togolese star wages in excess of £170,000 per week.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com