Sun 24th May - The City of Manchester Stadium
By Francisco Acedo Last updated: 23rd August 2007
Oubina: Set for Benfica
Benfica have beaten Manchester City to the signing of Spanish international midfielder Borja Oubina, skysports.com understands.
The 25-year-old was a target of a host of clubs following Celta Vigo's relegation and the likes of Villarreal, Real Zaragoza and Atletico Madrid wanted to offer him a route back to the top flight.
However, Oubina has opted for a move to Lisbon where he will link up with Jose Antonio Camacho, who has recently been re-appointed head coach at Benfica.
"The agreement is perfect and the kid and his family are very happy," his agent Lito Miguez confirmed to skysports.com.
The news will be a blow to City boss Sven Goran Eriksson, who had hoped to add the impressive Spaniard to his squad.
Despite the arrivals of eight new faces, Eriksson has expressed his desire to add at least another two.
Eriksson's move for Oubina, who will cost Benfica 10million euros (£6.7million), suggests the Swede wants to further enhance his midfield options before the transfer window closes at the end of this month.

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes a surprise move to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 14:00 | Orlando Pirates vs Man City |
| Tuesday 21st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:15 | Kaizer Chiefs vs Man City |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Wolverhampton |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man City |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Man City |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs West Ham |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Man City |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Sunday 10th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 3 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 1 - 2 Man City | |
| Sunday 19th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 4 - 2 West Brom | |
| Thursday 16th April | |
| Europa League | |
| Man City 2 - 1 Hamburg | |
| Sunday 12th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 3 Fulham | |
| Thursday 9th April | |
| Europa League | |
| Hamburg 3 - 1 Man City | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Sunday 22nd March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Thursday 19th March | |
| Europa League | |
| AaB 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Sunday 15th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man City | |
| Thursday 12th March | |
| Europa League | |
| Man City 2 - 0 AaB | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 2 - 0 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 1 - 0 Man City | |
| Thursday 26th February | |
| Europa League | |
| Man City 2 - 1 FC Copenhagen | |
| Sunday 22nd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 1 - 1 Man City | |
| Thursday 19th February | |
| Europa League | |
| FC Copenhagen 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Saturday 14th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Hull City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
Skysports.com has a look at Roque Santa Cruz's career to date following his Man City switch.
Skysports.com looks at Man City's possible transfer activity in an exciting summer for the world's richest club.
Manchester City's 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa in 2004. Can you name the mystery starting XI?
Martin Petrov believes that given time Manchester City will be challenging for trophies sooner rather than later.
Man City boss Mark Hughes believes neighbours Man United are wary of the progress the club are making.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has admitted Manchester City beat him to Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz.
Carlos Tevez believes Manchester United fans will forgive him if he seals a move to Manchester City.
Real Madrid are to launch a transfer "offensive" for Maicon, according to the Inter Milan right-back's agent.