Hughes to launch £12m bid for unsettled Toure
MANCHESTER City will make a £12m bid for Kolo Toure, the Arsenal defender, now that the North London club have concluded the signing of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax.
City tried to sign Toure in January, but while Arsene Wenger was loath to lose the defender in mid-season, the manager has accepted that Toure wants to leave and would rather sell now than lose him for nothing when his contract expires next summer.
With the African Cup of Nations taking place in Angola in January, Wenger is also aware that he would probably lose the Ivory Coast defender for about a month anyway.
Mark Hughes, the City manager, wants to pair Toure with Joleon Lescott (26) the England defender, to form a more balanced, new-look central defence next season.
Hughes wants a left-footed central defender who can also operate at left-back if necessary, but with Everton opposed to selling Lescott and likely to demand at least £20m, Hughes may be forced to turn to Matthew Upson, the West Ham United defender.
City are expected to make their second signing of the summer early next week, when Roque Santa Cruz joins from Blackburn Rovers in a deal that could be worth up to £18m. The Paraguay striker is set to undergo a medical with City this weekend.
With William Gallas, the France defender, likely to follow Toure out of the exit door, Wenger is in the market for another centre back and is monitoring Sebastien Bassong (22), the Newcastle United defender.
Vermaelen (23), who has signed a four-year contract, will cost up to £10.2m depending on his success at the club. Wenger said: "Thomas will be a huge asset. He is primarily a left-footed centre back, but he is multi-functional and can also play at left-back."
DEAD CERTS
Striker Matt Derbyshire (23) will join Olympiacos early next week after Blackburn accepted a £3m bid.
Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez has made his first signing as Wigan Athletic manager with the £1.5m capture of Jordi Gomez, the Spanish midfield player, from Espanyol on a three-year deal.
Djimi Traore (29) the Portsmouth defender, has joined Monaco on a two-year contract.
Victor Valdes, the Barcelona goalkeeper, has ended speculation linking him with a move to Premier League champions Manchester United by signing a four-year contract extension that will keep him at the Nou Camp until June 2014.
Decent bets
Sean Davis, the Portsmouth midfield player, has turned down a new deal and could join Bolton Wanderers.
Panathinaikos want Djibril Cisse, the Marseilles striker who spent last season on loan at Sunderland.
Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for Mario Balotelli (18) the Inter Milan striker, after West Ham United failed to agree a fee for the player.
Valencia say they will not sell David Villa unless they receive a "scandalously" big offer for the Spanish striker, who is wanted by Real Madrid and Chelsea. (© The Times, London)
