Hargreaves gets seal of approval

MANCHESTER City goalkeeper Joe Hart has claimed Owen Hargreaves would be a "massive signing" for the Blues if he completes his shock move to the Premier League title challengers today.

It is understood the results of a medical for the 30–year–old midfielder, who was released by Manchester United this summer, were sufficiently positive for dialogue to be opened over terms for Hargreaves to be offered a contract.

And Hart believes it would be a "win–win" signing by manager Roberto Mancini.

"It would be massive," he said. "I have never been involved (in a team) with him, but I saw a lot of him before and how highly he was regarded when he was at Bayern Munich and at Manchester United.

"He is a huge player and if he is fit and part of Manchester City he will be another great signing.

"If he can get back to the form of five years ago, it would be great."

Given Hargreaves' abysmal fitness record, any contract would be heavily incentivised, and the kind of pay–as–you–play deal which Michael Owen signed when he joined Manchester United two years ago.

The former Bayern man has been sidelined for almost three years after operations on both knees to cure a chronic tendinitis problem.



Manchester City have confirmed they have finalised the loan deals for striker Roque Santa Cruz and midfielder Vladimir Weiss to spend the season in Spain.



Real Betis announced yesterday they had struck a deal for Paraguay international Santa Cruz.

The 30–year–old striker has not featured for City's first team since November and spent the latter part of last season on loan at former club Blackburn.

Espanyol yesterday said they had agreed an initial agreement to take Weiss on loan and that has now been formalised by City.