Manchester City target Emmanuel Adebayor and John Terry after Carlos Tevez is unveiled

By Oliver Pickup in Football Spy

Published 18:06 14/07/09

Emmanuel Adebayor is set to become Manchester City's next signing - while another bid for John Terry is on the cards as an extraordinary summer at Eastlands took another dramatic twist.

As Carlos Tevez was being unveiled, Adebayor was undergoing a medical and if a work permit is granted for the Togo forward, he could be on the flight to South Africa for City's three-match tour along with a growing number of star names.

And if that was not enough, Hughes has certainly not given up on the prospect of signing Terry, even though he is currently adopting a diplomatic stance to a situation that may begin to unravel at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea attempt to discover their captain's intentions before they leave for the United States on Thursday.

"I have had fantastic respect for John Terry since I saw him as a young player when I was at Chelsea," said Hughes.

"He is a great player and an outstanding captain. Any manager would covet a player like that.

"But we have to respect he plays for Chelsea."

How long for remains to be seen. However, it certainly appears Adebayor's days at Arsenal are numbered.

City officials remained silent on the prospect of a £25million transfer being speeded through, although Hughes, given his general reluctance to discuss possible new recruits, rather gave the game away by first confirming talks had taken place, then suggesting they were at quite an advanced stage.

"There has been discussions between ourselves and Arsenal," he said.

"It is not the right time or place to discuss it but yes, there has been contact and possibly there is a deal to be done.

"It has not been concluded as we speak. Until it happens, it is not the time or the place to talk about it."

If the deal goes through, it would bring the number of strikers at City's disposal to 10, four of which would have arrived since January alone, starting with Craig Bellamy.

Spending since June 2008 would be touching £200million, with Hughes confirming City are still in the market for top-class talent, presumably defenders now, in the most amazing spending spree English football has ever seen.

"The idea is to have players of the highest quality in key areas of the field," he said.

"You need the options and flexibility to change things. To have top players in key areas who can produce moments of magic to win games when the team are struggling is invaluable."

Earlier in the summer, chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak stated a top-six place was the aspiration for next term.

However, at that time the Abu Dhabi United Group were preaching caution in the transfer market.

Either funds that would make Real Madrid appear like skinflints are going to be made available in 12 months' time, or the original policy has changed - and presumably the targets as well.

"The aim is to be as successful as we can," he said.

"We have good players who have ability and potential.

"Now we must work exceptionally hard as a group to make sure Manchester City get the success they have been longing for many years.

"But it is a long season and there are other clubs who want the same prizes as ourselves and will work exceptionally hard to make it more difficult for us to achieve what we want.

"But we feel we can compete. Whether or not we can get to the top table this year only time will tell. But the aim is there."

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