Sunday's football gossip column
Mark Hughes: An embarrassment of riches in attack, but Richard Dunne in defence
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Sunday, 19, Jul 2009 12:24
Mark Hughes may have eight strikers at his disposal but the Manchester City manager is set for more frustration in his effort to shore up his team's back-line.
Ashley Cole is the latest Chelsea player to urge John Terry to reject overtures from City for his services, after Carlo Ancelotti said he was "100 per cent certain" his captain was going nowhere.
City have had two bids for the England skipper rejected, but his silence has added to rumours he could still seek a move to the City of Manchester Stadium when the Blues return from their USA tour.
Hughes' other big target is Everton's Joleon Lescott, but the Toffees have slapped an improbable £30 million price tag on the centre-back after rejecting an initial offer of half that amount. But with money no object to City's oil-rich Abu Dhabi owners, David Moyes could still be starting next season without his prized defensive asset.
Elsewhere, Arsene Wenger could turn to Newcastle United's Obafemi Martins to replace the Emmanuel Adebayor-shaped hole in the front-line.
Chelsea have been alerted after the Zlatan Ibrahimovic-Samuel Eto'o swap deal appeared on the rocks due to the Cameroonian's wage demands.
Liverpool have joined Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the chase for £20-million rated Ashley Young, although Martin O'Neill is adamant the winger will not leave.
Spurs have emerged as the favourites to land Peter Crouch's signature from Portsmouth after the England striker's interest in moves to Sunderland and Fulham cooled.
And after a summer of relative frustration in the transfer market, Chelsea could yet sign a global superstar in the shape of... David Beckham.
Ancelotti is full of mutual admiration for the England midfielder, who has faced a hostile reception upon his return to LA Galaxy in the MLS, but could face competition from old club AC Milan.