Monday 27 July 2009

Next target: Kolo Touré

With the news that John Terry will not be joining, attention now shifts to Hughes' next defensive targets - Joleon Lescott and Kolo Touré. And Monday's papers are full of reports that a move for the Arsenal man is close. Ian Herbert, who had been with City in South Africa, wrote this:

The decision [of John Terry to stay at Chelsea] still leaves City pursuing two new central defenders. Cook was in three hours of talks with Arsenal which led to the purchase of Emmanuel Adebayor and the Gunners' manager, Arsène Wenger, is well aware of City's interests and has not disabused them of the idea that they might be in business. Touré indicated some interest in joining City in January but cooled on the idea after reflection. The presence at Eastlands of his friend and former team-mate Adebayor might help. A City bid is likely to be in the region of £12m.

There are still serious hopes at City that Joleon Lescott will also push Everton for permission to seek discussions with the club, who would be prepared to up their initial £15m bid to nearer £20m. It was always their aim to sign two out of the triumvirate of Terry, Lescott and Touré, with West Ham's Matthew Upson lower down their priority list.

And Chris Wheeler, also in South Africa, wrote that City were 'in talks with Arsenal' over a £15m deal for Touré. Matt Hughes writes (from Dallas) that we will offer £14m for Kolo. But it does seem like we have a final answer to the 'one or two centre halves' question that we have thought about all summer. Which is bad news for all you Nedum Onuoha fans out there.

8 comments:

satis said...

What a shame that Hughes doesn't think we can afford to let Nedum make a handful of mistakes on what I've long believed is his way to becoming a full international.

Toure is a fine defender but Onouha, Lescott, Kompany and Richards would do us really well.

D. said...

Signing Kolo Touré would put even more cash in Arsenal's transfer kitty, but Nedum Onuoha could become one of the best center halves in the Premier League within a few years if he's allowed to develop.

May McCooney said...

Fully agree trinder, but surely it is a case of the fans not affording Nedum the time to make these mistakes - too many seem to like the idea of building the team over a realistic period of time, rather than the practicalities involved (and inevitable mistakes from less-experienced players along the way).
I do think, however, that we need to take Hughes at his word with regards to not entertaining the sale of Nedum and other Acadeny graduates. I think that Hughes' biggest challenge will be to successfully blend these young Blues with the more established players and marquee signings.

Simon said...

MH has already categorically stated the Nedum isn't for sale - I just hope he sticks to that, because he is a very good defender at the moment, and will only get better with time.

The Citizen said...

Toure - No no no. Play Nedum.

Bluephill said...

Is has to be a case of either Toure or Leascott, not both. I'm not sure which I'd prefer, both know the league inside out, Toure is more experenced but Lescott can cover left back.

Either way, as everyone else has said, it's important the Onuoha is allowed to develop as he has masses of potential.

----- said...

African Cup of Nations would leave us a little short if only Toure is bought. If we do get Lescott & Toure, I imagine that Ned would get a bit more playing time in the new year......

Anonymous said...

I can't believe that Hughes would be prepared to let Nedum go and hang on to Ben Haim