KEY POINTS:
Manchester City's wealthy Arab owners are determined to try to land a "world superstar" in the January transfer window and have drawn up a list of targets, headed by Kaka and Lionel Messi.
The other names that have been discussed are Fernando Torres, Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Samuel Eto'o, with the Abu Dhabi United Group prepared to pay upwards of 70m (NZ$192 million) for a top-name signing to add to their British transfer record 34m (NZ$93 million) purchase of Robinho.
Although it would appear almost impossible to prise any of the players away from their clubs, especially mid-season, City are determined to test their resolve with a world-record fee - beating the 48m (NZ$132 million) that Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001 - in the hope that one of the big names will be signed.
It is part of a strategy that City's owners have decided on to make a statement of intent in world football. They believe that if they can sign Kaka or Messi then other big-name players will follow for football, as well as monetary, reasons.
A bid is also being weighed up for the Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and for Valencia's David Villa but it appears that those two targets will wait until next summer.
City are also likely to allow manager Mark Hughes to try to acquire a few more modest names as he overhauls his squad. Among those he has identified are Roque Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge, Lassana Diarra and Benfica's Luisao.
City signed Robinho under the noses of Chelsea and, although there was surprise at the fee paid, the owners are delighted with the contribution made by the Brazilian and the profile he has helped to give the club.
Robinho has also become an influential player off the field and it is understood that Hughes has become more receptive to the idea of trying to acquire other big-name players.
Top of the list is undoubtedly Kaka and his remarks last week, ahead of Milan's Uefa Cup tie against Portsmouth, when he said he was flattered by City's interest and that he had spoken to the club's players Robinho and Elano about the Premier League, did not go unnoticed. Then, when Hughes was asked about Kaka, he said: "It's always interesting when top players talk about their situation. Until something happens, though, we will have to wait and see. These are exciting times here, anyway."
Messi would appear to be a far less likely acquisition, given that he is absolutely central to Barcelona's plans and the success they are having, while City have pretty much ruled out an attempt to sign either Ronaldo or Tevez, even though the latter is still to sort out his future at Manchester United.
Torres is an interesting case. Although the Spanish striker is understood to be happy at Liverpool and he would undoubtedly be the last player that their manager, Rafael Benitez, would want to sell, the finances of the club are such that a deal could be offered that Anfield's American owners might find irresistible. Even so, their standing with the supporters would plumb new depths if Torres were sold, no matter the price.
- INDEPENDENT
