City 'in talks' with Valencia over £30m David Silva
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Manchester City 'in talks' with Valencia over £30m David Silva but big spenders face fight with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus
In limbo: Silva had been lined up by Real Madrid, but Jose Mourinho has identified other priority signings
Manchester City have stepped up to bid to sign Valencia midfielder David Silva in a bid to see off increasing interest from Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus.
City chief executive Garry Cook reportedly had face-to-face talks with Valencia president Manuel Llorente on Wednesday and another meeting is planned.
The Barclays Premier League big-spenders are not believed to have submitted a formal offer yet, but would hope to do a deal for less than Valencia's price tag of about £30million.
Real Madrid had lined up a move for the 24-year-old, only for new boss Jose Mourinho to identify more pressing targets and leave the deal in limbo.
However, reports in Italy suggest there is serious competition from Inter Milan and Juventus. New Inter boss Rafa Benitez is a confirmed admirer of his former Valencia student and hopes to pair him at the San Siro with Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.
And now Juventus have entered the race, but are seen as outsiders. They have just clinched a deal for Sunderland target Simone Pepe and Milos Krasic - another wide man - is on the way from CSKA Moscow, while free agent Joe Cole is an alternative to Silva.
Turin-bound: Milos Krasic Juve alternative: Joe Cole
Barcelona have also re-entered the race for a player they looked at last summer. The Spanish champions have Silva lined up as a contingency following increasingly difficult negotiations to land Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.
Barca will not give up on the Gunners captain for some time and City could see off the Catalans by moving quickly for Silva, though Spain's imminent departure for the World Cup in South Africa could put everyone on hold until after the tournament.
City are also said to have enquired about 25-year-old Valencia Pablo Hernandez, another international right winger, who failed to make the World Cup squad.
CITY SWOOP TO SIGN SWINDON STARLET
Manchester City have swooped to capture highly-rated Swindon teenager Alex Henshall for an undisclosed fee.
The 16-year-old, who made two substitute appearances for Danny Wilson's side last season, is part of the England youth set-up and regarded as one of the country's most promising youngsters.
Liverpool had also been interested in the youngster, Robins chairman Andrew Fitton confimed.
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silva is either RM or barca.
city no chance. no CL football, no spanish player in club. with so many superstars eager to leave such as robinho, tevez. ..no chance.
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this man leave then no more CL for valancia .