Manchester City interested in West Ham star Craig Bellamy - with Fernando Torres still on radar

Mark Hughes has been put on alert by West Ham's decision to offload Craig Bellamy for £6million.

The Hammers desperately need to sell to ease their mounting financial troubles - and Hughes remains an admirer of Bellamy from their successful time together with Wales and Blackburn.

Hughes has already warned Manchester City fans that he could struggle to land the big stars on his January wish list, for all of Sheikh Mansour's billions.

They are ready to make a world record £50m bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, but accept the Spanish striker will remain loyal to Anfield for now.

That would leave Hughes chasing more realistic targets next month and the controversial Bellamy, 29, bagged 17 goals in his one season at Ewood Park in 2005-06 to help Blackburn qualify for Europe.

Hughes wants to take some of the goalscoring burden off Robinho's shoulders and Jo has failed to live up to his £19m price tag.

City's Arab owners sounded out Torres' advisers earlier this week - and they will return some time in the future.

City will also go for Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra and Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz in January, with Valencia's David Villa also on their shopping list.

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