Manchester City are scouring Europe in an attempt to sign top class defenders and bolster their under performing rear guard. John Terry was said to be the player they hoped to build a winning team around, with talk of a £50 million deal, but that looks unlikely with the England and Chelsea captain wanting to stay faithful to the club he loves. However, as the press have been specualting hugely, there are plenty of other options out there.

Mark Hughes will step up his interest in Arsenal's £8million-rated defender KOLO TOURE as part of a defensive reshuffle in January. The Manchester City manager plans to offload three defenders, with Nedum Onuoha joining Blackburn for £3m. (THE MAIL)



Man City will make an amazing £20million bid for ASHLEY COLE in January.The club's billionaire Arab owners are trying to exploit Cole's contract situation at Chelsea — and also sign Portsmouth midfield star LASSANA DIARRA. An £18m deal for Diarra is almost complete but Cole will be much harder to sign. City are willing to pay Chelsea £20m and will offer him a £130,000-a-week deal to move to Eastlands. Cole, 27, has 2½ years of his current deal left which pays £82k a week. Chelsea are aware of City's intentions and also of the fact Cole could 'buy out' his contract next summer and move for nothing. (THE SUN)



Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is plotting a £6million raid on Hull for defender MICHAEL TURNER. Hughes will have a massive transfer pot when the window opens again and has put the centre-back on his wanted list. Turner has emerged as one of the best in the Premier League in his position, and Hughes is desperate to strengthen City's defence. (THE MIRROR)



Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has targeted KOLO TOURE, MICHAEL TURNER AND CHRIS SAMBA to add steel to his dodgy defence. Hughes is expected to have more money to spend in January than any other manager in the Premier League. And he aims to splash some of it on either Arsenal's Toure, Hull's Turner or his former Blackburn ace, 6ft 5in Samba, who lives in Manchester. (DAILY STAR)




Manchester City's wealthy Arab owners have launched a world-record £50million bid to sign GIANLUIGI BUFFON, widely regarded as the best goalkeeper on the planet. A delegation from the Barclays Premier League club travelled to Turin this month to discuss a possible transfer and, despite the protestations of Juventus, City firmly expect to secure a deal by making an offer that neither the goalkeeper nor his club can refuse. (THE TIMES)



Which of these targets are most likely to sign in the January window? Are the likes of Turner, Diarra and Samba really amongst the finest in the world? Or are Man City looking to progress to the top gradually? How soon do you think City will win a major title?