Chelsea confirm Bridge on brink of €12.5m City switch

CHELSEA’S England left-back Wayne Bridge looks set to complete a £12 million (€12.5m) move to Manchester City today.

Chelsea have confirmed that Bridge has been given permission to talk to City about personal terms and Mark Hughes confirmed the two clubs have agreed an undisclosed fee for the England international

City boss Mark Hughes is thought to have a £60m (€62.7m) transfer kitty at his disposal and made Bridge his first target.

Hughes said: “My understanding is the clubs have agreed a fee. We need to speak to the boy and try to agree personal terms.

“If we can do that hopefully Wayne will be a Manchester City player, that’s the aim. Hopefully negotiations will go well and he can have a medical tomorrow (Saturday).”

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari added that he was happy for Bridge to go if the deal was right for the club.

“If they have a good deal, it is no problem for me,” said Scolari.

“But it is best you ask Peter Kenyon as he knows everything happening.

“Wayne is not in my squad for the FA Cup anyway because he has a little injury.

“If we sell one player we sell him for big money, if not, it is finished.

“When a club wants one player from Chelsea my advice is offer but don’t offer less, offer big, because Chelsea is a very big club and has fantastic players.

“Money is not my business, it’s a business for the board and owner. Not for me.”

Chief executive Kenyon has already made it clear to Scolari he needs to sell players before he can add to his squad in the transfer window but the Brazilian coach still maintains he is not looking to sign anyone.

“I don’t say to Peter that I need to buy some players — I have a good squad,” Scolari reiterated.

“If I want a player I tell Peter first but I have not done so in 2008 or today. I’m happy with my players here.”

The Chelsea boss will make a host of changes for the visit of League One side Southend in the FA Cup third round today.

Among them is a place in the starting line-up for England Under-21 international Michael Mancienne.

He has returned to the club following a three-month loan spell at Wolves. Youngsters Lee Sawyer and Jeffrey Bruma are also in the squad with Scolari resting at least five of his first-team regulars.