Manchester City owners to give Mark Hughes £200million transfer window warchest - exclusive

Manchester City's new Arab owners will spend £200million on new players - and Mark Hughes is to be allowed to put a dent in that kitty in the January window.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan has told boss Hughes of the riches that are available and moves for names on the hit-list for the New Year window have begun.

Hughes wants a top striker, a new left-back and a midfield general and approaches will be made for Valencia's David Villa, Chelsea star Wayne Bridge and Lassana Diarra at Portsmouth. But while Hughes hopes to land those three the Arabs are willing to wait to spend the bulk of the money next summer.

City know they will have a better chance of tempting Champions League names then, although it is very unlikely they will have the elite competition to offer.

Ambitious City have been chasing Spanish Euro 2008 star Villa and want an answer. He would cost a British record £40m, but Valencia could sell. Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz is an £18m alternative.

Chelsea do not want to sell Bridge so Hughes may pay Blackburn £5m for Stephen Warnock while Diarra can move for £16m.

City plan summer moves for Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Milan's Kaka.

For a Lassana Diarra factfile click here

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