Monaco in Anelka claim

Monaco have claimed Man City striker Nicolas Anelka wants to join them.

Anelka is the prime target for the UEFA Champions League runners-up ahead of the close of the transfer window at the end of August.

But, while City are prepared to sell the French striker at the right price, Monaco lack the funds to make a realistic offer.

The Principality side are keen to recruit the pacey hit-man on loan, in the hope Anelka can repeat the success Fernando Morientes enjoyed last season.

That is unlikely to meet City's approval but Monaco insist Anelka is unsettled at the Premiership club and desires a return to Ligue 1.

"He's the absolute priority for Didier Deschamps, for me and for the club," Monaco's sporting director Henri Biancheri told The Guardian.

"We believe it's Nicolas's wish to come to Monaco but the problem is that we can only organise a loan and Manchester City would want a permanent transfer.

"But Nicolas wants to play in a team that will be challenging for the title and he will have a chance of being in the France national team."

Reports in France previously suggested Monaco were willing to pay a fee for the loan of Anelka but it now seems as though they are reluctant to stump up any money.

Monaco have stepped up their pursuit of Anelka after deciding not to gamble on the signature of Barcelona attacker Javier Saviola.

Saviola will be allowed to leave Camp Nou on loan and is believed to favour a switch to Stade Louis II.

But Monaco's reticence about paying the Argentine's salary, in addition to Saviola's international commitments, has prompted that deal to collapse, at least for the time being.