City in for Villa and Gomez

Blues make ambitious moves for strike duo

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 2nd September 2008

City in for Villa and Gomez

Villa: Spanish star

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Manchester City have lodged bids for Valencia's David Villa and Stuttgart's Mario Gomez.

The Blues have already seen an offer of over £30million accepted for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov, but have made approaches for a further two attacking talents.

With Berbatov also believed to be in discussions with Manchester United, and Real Madrid thought to have entered the race for the Bulgarian, City are keen to keep their options open.

Los Che star Villa, who won the Golden Boot at Euro 2008 this summer, has been the centre of transfer speculation all summer, but had appeared to have accepted that his future lay in Spain.

Meanwhile, Gomez shot to prominence after scoring 28 goals for Stuttgart last season, immediately signalling him out as one of Europe's hottest properties.

Serious

Money would not appear to be a problem for City following Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover of the club on Monday.

Head of that consortium, Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, confirmed that the ambitious Premier League outfit continue to chase a number of potential targets prior to the closure of the transfer window at midnight on Monday.

"I am hopeful about Berbatov, but I need to speak to our colleagues in England to see what the latest is," he said.

"We have bids in for three players. There is Berbatov, but there is also David Villa and Mario Gomez. We have bids in for Villa and Gomez and I am waiting to hear whether we have been successful with those.

"Funds are available, and transfers such as these show we are serious."