Transfer Speculation

Mark Hughes has confirmed Manchester City are still interested in bringing Samuel Eto'o to the club.

It was confirmed yesterday that Eto'o would prefer to remain with Barcelona amid a wrangle over a £25million fee that would be paid by City to sign the Cameroon star.

However, Hughes has not given up hope of getting his man.

"We have made an offer but there appears to be a situation between the player and his club that we cannot be part of," said the Blues chief.

"We just have to sit back and see what develops. Patience is a word that has been mentioned and we may need some of it."

Hughes also confirmed City are interested in signing Carlos Tevez, who has left rivals Manchester United.

Yet it does not appear the Argentina star is an imminent arrival.

"I am a huge admirer of Carlos," he said.

"Everyone is aware of his situation and we are interested, as we are in all top quality players.

"We will have to see what happens but these are very early days."

Hughes was speaking at the unveiling of Roque Santa Cruz, who finally completed his move from Blackburn last week.

Santa Cruz already knows he has competition for places from Craig Bellamy and Robinho even without the likes of Eto'o and Tevez joining City as well.

But such strength in depth is one of the reasons Hughes believes the Blues are capable of fulfilling the extreme expectation they will face, unlike last term when the Welshman always knew they would fall well short.

"If we can get the players we are hoping for we will have more tools at our disposal to do the job," he said.

"We are trying to address that situation and we feel we are getting closer.

"Leading into the new season we are in better shape to be better prepared than we were last year, when expectations were the same as they will be this time.

"Last year we couldn't fulfil them. This time I think we will."

Santa Cruz is of the same opinion, even though the £18million Paraguayan accepts it may take time.

"The aim is the top four and that is certainly the mentality among the players," he said.

"It might not happen overnight but we will move in the right way."