Hughes admits Ade talks

14 July 2009 14:29
Mark Hughes has conceded Manchester City are negotiating a deal to sign Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, but insists the transfer is not yet concluded. Speaking at the unveiling of the club's latest signing Carlos Tevez, Hughes had to field questions about purported targets Adebayor and Chelsea captain John Terry. While he was reticent to become embroiled in a discussion over the latter, he did reveal that widespread talk of a swoop for Adebayor was not wide of the mark. Despite huge transfer fees being paid for Tevez and fellow summer signing Roque Santa Cruz, Hughes is refusing to rule out further additions before the start of the new campaign. Sky Sports sources understand Adebayor is to have a work permit hearing in Manchester on Wednesday ahead of a proposed move to Eastlands. "I think there have been discussions between ourselves and Arsenal but as is my usual response to questions about players we haven't yet signed, it's not really the right time or place to discuss it," said Hughes. "Yes, there has been contact. There is a deal to be done, possibly. But it's not been concluded as we speak here. Until that actually happens it's not really the time or the place. "There may well be opportunities that present themselves. Obviously there are areas of the team we'd still like to strengthen. "We would like to be in a position at the beginning of the season to have a team in place that we think can challenge. If the opportunity presents itself, yes, we could buy new players." When asked whether he thought Tevez, believed to have cost the club in the region of £25million, was value for money Hughes answered emphatically. "Absolutely, for Manchester City he represents good value," he continued. "From our point of view, from where we are in our development, to be able to bring one of the top strikers in the world to our club is a fantastic thing for us as a club, our fans and everyone connected to Manchester City." City are expected to launch a fresh bid for Terry in the next few days and while full of admiration for the England captain, Hughes stopped short of confirming a new offer was imminent. "I have fantastic respect for John Terry, ever since I saw him as a young player when I was at Chelsea myself. "He's a great player and an outstanding captain but he's very much a Chelsea player at this point. "Any manager would covet a player of John Terry's calibre but at this moment he's a Chelsea player and we have to respect that."

Source: SKY_Sports