Transfer Whispers: Attention turns to Freddie

Last updated : 06 July 2005 By Ben Collins

- The Mirror claims Stuart Pearce has given up on signing Southampton's Peter Crouch, who has made it clear he wants to move to Liverpool, and turned his attention to Kanoute.

City's striker search goes on as Pearce desperately needs to bolster City's attack - he has already been linked with Spurs' Robbie Keane - and the City boss knows Spurs will sell Kanoute.

The 27-year-old is out of favour at White Hart Lane and is one of the players that Martin Jol wants to sell to fund more summer buys, in particular prising Andy Johnson away from Crystal Palace.

The Mali international, who signed from West Ham for £3.5m in 2003, has already turned down West Brom and although he would be interested in City, there could be other bidders for the gifted but unpredictable forward.

The fee for Kanoute would be around £4m so City will first have to sell either Shaun Wright-Phillips or Sylvain Distin.

- SWP is the most likely to leave this summer with the Independent restarting the speculation surrounding a move to Chelsea.

They say Chelsea will finally mount a formal £18m bid either today or tomorrow, but that is believed to be £4m short of City's valuation.

Jose Mourinho said he would sign an attacking player to add to the £8m signing of left-back Asier del Horno and after Steven Gerrard's decision to stay at Liverpool, he is set to focus on capturing Shaun this summer.

Let's hope it's just more paper-talk!