City ponder Beast move

Brazilian linked with English return

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 24th August 2007

Julio Baptista

Baptista: City target?

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Skysports.com understands Manchester City are weighing up a move for Julio Baptista as they look to ease their striking problems.

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is searching for a new forward after losing summer signing Valeri Bojinov to a long-term injury.

A host of players including Nicolas Anelka and Nuno Gomes have been linked with City and now Baptista is believed to have come under Eriksson's scrutiny.

Baptista last season on loan at Arsenal and it is not known if he features in the plans of new Real coach Bernd Schuster.

Baptista nicknamed 'The Beast' failed to shine at Arsenal, but the striker enjoyed a good summer helping Brazil win the Copa America and Eriksson sees the striker as the ideal replacement for Bojinov.

City are pondering making a loan move for the burly forward as they look to add to their attacking options.

A snag could be that Real are only thought to be willing to sell the burly forward rather than sending him out on loan again like they did with Arsenal last season.