Corluka set for City switch

Croatian poised for big-money move

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 1st August 2007

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Manchester City are understood to have agreed a deal for Vedran Corluka.

According to reports in Croatia, the 6ft 3in defender is poised to join City from Dinamo Zagreb for a fee in the region of 13million euros (£8.7million).

Corluka, who played for Croatia when they defeated England in a Euro 2008 qualifier, would also need to be granted a work permit before a transfer could be finalised.

"Dinamo get 13 million euros, while Corluka will be paid 15 million euros for his five-year-long contract," Dinamo vice-president Zdravko Mamic told 24sata.hr.

Sven Goran Eriksson has been working hard to strengthen his squad since being appointed as City boss and has already brought in four new faces in Martin Petrov, Rolando Bianchi, Gelson Fernandes and Geovanni.

The Swede's efforts to sign a defender were thwarted when Juventus rejected an offer for Giorgio Chiellini, but he has now turned his focus elsewhere.

As well as Corluka, Eriksson is also closing in on Real Sociedad left-back Javi Garrido.

City are also reported to have agreed a deal for Fiorentina striker Valeri Bojinov.