Hughes plays down Tevez talk

City boss confirms club have been making offers for players

Last updated: 7th January 2009

Hughes plays down Tevez talk

Hughes: Bidding for players

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Mark Hughes has confirmed Manchester City have made several offers for players, but would not be drawn on reports he is interested in Carlos Tevez.

Argentine striker Tevez's future at rivals Manchester United is uncertain as his two-year loan deal edges towards its conclusion.

There have been conflicting reports regarding a permanent deal for Tevez at Old Trafford and he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Speculation has now claimed City are monitoring the situation, but Hughes brushed off rumours he is readying a bid for the 24-year-old.

Realistic targets

"We have been linked with nearly everybody, I think, and Carlos Tevez is one that hasn't been, so now that he has we will have the full set," Hughes told the Manchester Evening News.

"I don't talk about players at other clubs; there are those who are quite prepared to do that for us.

"We are trying to get players in that will help us, we are looking at targets that are attainable and realistic and that has always been our stance."

Hughes has already signed Wayne Bridge from Chelsea since the January transfer window opened and is keen to bring in another five new faces.

The City boss confirmed he has been actively pursuing his targets and is trying to make offers he feels could tempt clubs into a sale.

Lift

He added: "We have put bids on the table and some have been rejected at the level we have pitched them.

"I am sure that this week we will be making more offers. What we are trying to do is make sure that when we do make those offers they are at a level that clubs will actually discuss. They are players that we want to attract, so there is no point going in at a level that you know is going to be dismissed out of hand.

"It is about getting the balance and the pitch of the offer right and if you do that then more often than not a deal can be concluded more quickly. Long drawn-out deals tend to test everyone's patience, so it is better to look at the market, look at what you think the club that has the player would want and go in at that level. If valuations are way out of kilter then it becomes more drawn out.

"I have highlighted players that I think will help and then that is taken over by Garry Cook and Paul Aldridge and they conclude the deals. Managers always want a turnover of players because new faces give everyone a lift.

"It takes time to speak to clubs, to get permission to speak to players and their agents; so it is a long, drawn-out process and much that we might want to get things done rapidly it is not always the case."