Man City sign Sinclair amid deadline day frenzy

Last updated : 31 August 2012 By AFP

With only a few hours left to bring in new players before the window shuts until January, England's top-flight clubs are engaged in a frenzy of last-minute wheeling and dealing that could see a host of top stars on the move.

City boss Roberto Mancini has endured a frustrating time in the transfer market since the end of last season, but his move for the highly-rated Sinclair could trigger a late flurry of action at Eastlands.

"I'm just glad everything is settled and that I'm now a City player," Sinclair said.

"There were times when I thought it might not happen so I'm relieved that I'm here and I can't wait to get started."

Mancini won't be satisfied with just Sinclair's signature however as he has also been linked with Inter Milan right-back Maicon, Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia and Fiorentina defender Matija Nastasic.

To make room for his fresh recruits, Mancini sold Nigel de Jong to AC Milan, while Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz could be on the move to Malaga.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers continued his Anfield clear-out as Scotland international Charlie Adam was sold to Stoke for ?4 million, while fellow midfielder Jay Spearing joined Bolton on a season-long loan.

Rodgers has been looking to bring in American forward Clint Dempsey from Fulham and that deal could still be on even though Aston Villa have had an offer accepted by the Cottagers.

"We're hopeful of adding to the squad. There are a number of players we're looking at," Rodgers said on Friday.

Across Merseyside, Everton are close to signing Bryan Oviedo from FC Copenhagen after agreeing a fee for the Costa Rica defender.

Tottenham also look set for a busy day after Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart headed to Germany to re-sign for his former club Hamburg.

That could prompt a significant spending spree from Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who is reported to be interested in Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho, Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Fulham, also in the hunt for Berbatov, signed former England left-back Kieran Richardson from Sunderland, who then landed Tottenham defender Danny Rose on loan as a replacement.

Swansea, needing a replacement for Sinclair, are hoping to sign Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez for ?5.5million and the Spaniard is undergoing a medical at the Liberty Stadium.

Arsenal have been linked with a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, but their first action of deadline day was to allow South Korea striker Park Chu-young to go out on loan to Celta Vigo with a view to a permanent switch.

Nicklas Bendtner also looks to be heading out of the Emirates Stadium as the Denmark striker is reportedly undergoing a medical with Italian champions Juventus.

QPR boss Mark Hughes has already signed a host of new players since the end of last season, but he is still in the market for more and confirmed that Marseille defender Stephane Mbia is en route to London for a medical.

Mbia, 26, could join QPR as part of a swap for Joey Barton, who has been in the south of France for talks with Marseille this week.

"He is en route as we speak. Hopefully we will get him in to a medical quite quickly," Hughes said when asked about Mbia.

Source: AFP

Source: AFP