Mariga deal falls through.....and Inter nip in

One deal that was expected to be a 'sure thing' today ended in frustrastion as McDonald Mariga slipped through our grasp and ended up signing for Inter in a co-ownership agreement with his current club Parma.

It appears as though a deal was agreed in principle, but as I anticipated a couple of days ago we ran into problems attaining a work permit for the Kenyan:

Mariga, who has 24 caps, met part of the UK criteria after playing in 75% of Kenya's games in the last two years.

But his application was rejected as Kenya are ranked 98th in Fifa's world rankings, outside the top 70 nations.

City attended an appeal at Wembley on Monday morning but failed to overturn the decision about the 22-year-old.

A further appeal could have been lodged but would have meant a deal could not have been completed until the next transfer window.

Frustration I'm sure then turned to exasperation as later in the day it was announced that Mariga had signed for Inter, who had also coveted the player:

McDonald Mariga has officially signed for Inter as they agreed a £4m co-ownership deal with Parma.

The Kenya born midfielder was very close to a move to Manchester City in the past few days but negotiations didn't go ahead due to visa problems.

Unfortunately, Mariga has paid the price for having Kenyan nationality and it is something seen before where a player meets all the relevant criteria to be awarded a work permit, with the exception of being eligible for a side in the top 70 ranked countries in the world.

Whilst the overwhelming majority had never seen Mariga play, the comments left on here certainly suggest a player with immense potential and indicate him as a player who could have had a big future with us.

Vieira deal 'by Friday'

It is now widely reported that Patrick Vieira is shortly to undergo a medical at the club (possibly this afternoon) with a deal to be completed by Friday to enable him to make his debut against Blackburn on Monday.

The BBC have reported Vieira as saying:

"I have objectives and I can't achieve them by staying at Inter where I am not part of the coach's choice.

"What's important for me is to go to Manchester City, to show the coach that I am the same as I was during the period when he was at Inter.

"All this will help me get into the France team."

Although initial reports suggested a six month loan, it has been suggested that the deal may be as long as 18 months - presumably with the possibility for a twelve month extension being agreed in summer 2010.

More to come later on this no doubt.

Vieira plays final game for Inter

Although he was in the line-up for Inter's 1-0 win over Chievo earlier today, it seems as though that was to be Patrick Vieira's final appearance in a Nerazzurri shirt. So says Jose Mourinho:

"I don't know where he will go, maybe to England which he likes a lot, but we should thank him for what he has done in these years at Inter.

"The club decided not to renew his contract, which is coming to an end, and to accept the offer of another club. I will miss him but I don't have the right to demand anything from a club who has done so much for me."

A deal appears to be edging closer, and likely in time for this weekend's game against Blackburn.

Vieira hints that a move is close

Via skysports.com:

The Frenchman is keen to leave Inter after dropping down the pecking order in Jose Mourinho's plans and City are ready to sign Vieira on loan with the option of a one-year deal at the end of it.

Vieira, who played under Mancini at Inter, admits initial discussions are going well although a deal has not been agreed as yet.

"Nothing has been signed so far, but it is going well," Vieira told L'Equipe.

UPDATE: Vieira is in the line-up for Inter today.

Young duo linked

A pair of young prospects were linked over the weekend with imminent moves to the club. Firstly, Slovenian midfielder Rene Krhin - currently at Inter, who The People suggest is all but a done deal:

Krhin should join Hughes's revolution in the New Year, with City keen to do business now before he costs even more - and possibly appears in the World Cup finals for his country next summer.

Sickening Boss Jose Mourinho has tried to keep Krhin sweet at Inter with a couple of first-team appearances in Serie A and the Champions League, but pals of the star say that City are offering him a huge deal and the chance to develop with them.

Hughes has a lot of quality in his midfield already, but he does not have someone with Krhin's physique on the books and sees the 19-year-old as a first-team squad man immediately and a starter soon after.

Krhin will cost big money because Inter have him under contract for another 18 months but City think they will be successful as they carry on their push to dominate the transfer market.

Whilst The Mail reports Hughes is set to move for Sporting Lisbon centre-half Daniel Carrico:

And Hughes wants to spend heavily again to bring Carrico to the Barclays Premier League.

Carrico's current contract does not expire until July 2013 - but the right-footed defender does have an £18.4m release clause.

Spanish side Atletico Madrid are also keen on Carrico, who has played 13 games for Sporting this season.

It is difficult to know quite how accurate either story really is, and they certainly haven't been widely reported.

However, and despite the money lavished on the squad so far during 2009, I don't think Hughes is ready to stand still with the squad so although there may not be a number of high profile arrivals, there could be one or two for the future added in January.

Elano hints at Inter talks

"There are ongoing negotiations and I hope the Inter directors will go right to the end," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I want to wear the Inter shirt."

>>MEN.

Despite his impressive finish to last season, you do wonder what future Elano has at the club, and given the arrival of Gareth Barry this could well limit his opportunities further.

There is no doubting his talent, but will he ever fully earn Mark Hughes's favour and can he again display the level of performance and consistency he showed over the first half of his debut season? Perhaps a move to Serie A, a league where the pace and intensity is slower than Premier League, could suit his talents more.

His comments don't overly suggest an imminent deal is in place, but it would not be a huge surprise if he was playing elsewhere next season.

One problem for another?

So suggests The Telegraph, reporting that a swap deal could be on the cards with Inter which would see Adriano join us in return for Jo heading to the San Siro.

This is largely conjecture I'd imagine, and is based upon this report which states Inter have held a long term interest in Jo - ever since he scored a wonder goal against them in the Champions League.

It's difficult to know what to make of this one, and in all likelihood should be discounted, but it is an intriguing possibility nonetheless.

Adriano is a wonderful talent, who excelled in spells on loan at Parma and Fiorentina before making his mark at Inter. The past couple of seasons have, however, seen a litany of off-field problems with question marks raised against his desire and attitude. He had seemed to have rediscovered some form and favour under Jose Mourinho before falling foul of him recently.

As for Jo, he has struggled mightily at times with us, and he himself is believed to have fallen foul of management - so much so according to reports, that Hughes is desperate to get rid of him at the earliest opportunity. Purchased prior to Hughes's arrival (or at least the main bulk of negotiations were), it is difficult to see much of a future for him so could Hughes be tempted?

To bring in a player of Adriano's talent should be a given, yet it would be difficult to ignore the 'baggage' that may accompany him and he does not seem to be the type of player Hughes is seeking to bring in.

He could however link well with compatriot Robinho, would be more suited to the Premier League than Jo is, and could, perhaps crucially, be the 'big name' addition that the board may wish to see arrive at the club amidst some of the lesser names Hughes could well add.

It does seem likely that it is mere speculation - and likely to stay that way - but it would be interesting to see whether if Hughes was offered this deal, would he bite?