City boss Hughes in no hurry to snare 50m forward duo
MANCHESTER CITY manager Mark Hughes insists he is prepared to wait if it means pulling off a monumental deal for Barcelona forward Samuel Eto’o.
Eto’o’s proposed £25m switch is on ice amid an apparent stand-off between the Cameroon international and the Spanish club.
Barcelona are thought to be keen to offload a player who has just 12 months left on his contract, while Eto’o is reportedly demanding a huge-pay off to leave.
But Hughes, who also saw a January move for Brazil star Kaka fall through, has vowed not to rush a delicate situation.
“We have made an offer but there appears to be a situation between the player and his club that we cannot be part of,” he said.
“We just have to sit back and see what develops. Patience is a word that has been mentioned and we may need some of it.”
Regardless of Eto’o, Hughes is expected to land at least one superstar striker in the coming days, in Carlos Tevez.
The £25m Argentine is poised to move from Manchester rivals United, although the former Blackburn manager again played down how soon he could arrive.
“I am a huge admirer of Carlos,” Hughes said. “Everyone is aware of his situation and we are interested, as we are in all top quality players. We will have to see what happens but these are very early days.”
Hughes, speaking at the official presentation of forward Roque Santa Cruz, an £18m arrival from Blackburn, said he expected the expensive acquisitions to make his squad to be top-four contenders next season.
“We are in better shape to be better prepared than we were last year, when expectations were the same as they will be this time,” he added. “Last year we couldn’t fulfil them. This time I think we will.”