Manchester City Football Club News

• Nickname:Sky Blues
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Roberto Mancini

• Ground:City of Manchester Stadium
• Capacity:48,000

Parker poised for City switch

05 Jan 2009 - 07:59:55

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West Ham United and England midfielder Scott Parker is reported to be on the verge of joining Manchester City.

Parker, 28, is set to become City's second signing of the January transfer window after they completed the capture of left-back Wayne Bridge from Chelsea in a deal believed to be worth £9million on Saturday.

The former Charlton Athletic and Chelsea midfielder has been with the Hammers for just 18 months following his £8million arrival from Newcastle United in June 2007.

However, with the cash-strapped London club willing to listen to offers for all of their players, Parker appears to be the first big name heading out of Upton Park.

The former PFA Young Player of the Year has started just 35 Premier League games during an injury interrupted spell with the Hammers.

Speaking after Saturday's shock 3-0 FA Cup third round defeat to Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest at Eastlands, City boss Mark Hughes revealed his determination to add several quality new players to his under-performing squad.

Hughes has been given a reported £100million to strengthen his squad this month by the club's ambitious Middle Eastern owners.

"I think we're in a position where we can go to the market and bring players here," he told the club's official website.

"There are opportunities for players to come here and make an impression. We've got to make sure we get the right players in, if we do then we can move forward, but at the moment we're a little bit light.

"The frailties of the team are there for everybody to see for themselves. It's not as if I'm telling them (the owners) anything different from what I was telling them from the onset of their tenure.

"Those things are still to be addressed and we need to make sure we're stronger in all departments.

"If we do that we can move forward but at the moment it's one step forward and two back."