Reiziger heads for Manchester

Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan has invited Michael Reiziger to the club’s Carrington training ground tomorrow to discuss a loan deal with the Barcelona star.

Reiziger has been told he no longer features in the long-term plans of Nou Camp boss Louis van Gaal and his advisors claimed yesterday there had been plenty of interest in the 29-year-old from across the continent.

However, Keegan will have the first chance to persuade the Dutch international of the merits of life in the Premiership when the pair meet over the next 24 hours, although a decision is not expected in time for Reiziger to feature in Saturday’s home clash with Leeds.

“Michael will come in tomorrow and spend the day here,” Keegan told the club’s official website www.mcfc.co.uk.

“He will have a look at the facilities and will then have to decide if he wants to come here on a loan deal which would be until the end of the season.

“He is a great player who has a terrific footballing CV but it is too soon to talk of him being a City player or being included in the squad for the clash with Leeds.”

Reiziger, a former European Cup winner with Ajax, has made just four appearances for Barcelona this season but would command a healthy salary should he decide to take the plunge on City.

Although it would only be a loan deal initially, the Blues would look to make the move permanent in the summer, almost certainly scuppering the recent big-money bid for Leeds striker Robbie Fowler, which stalled over the player’s massive wages.

Keegan promised fresh faces during the transfer window and has already brought in Algerian midfielder Djamel Belmadi, who will make his reserve team debut against Sheffield Wednesday tonight.

In the past 48 hours alone, he has also been linked with Celta Vigo’s Benni McCarthy and Bordeaux’s Portuguese international striker Pauleta.

Keegan has refused to discuss the merit of those rumours but Sunday’s dismal FA Cup defeat at the hands of Liverpool has merely confirmed his believe that his squad need strengthening if they are to realise his dream of breaking into the Barclaycard Premiership’s top six.

However, he was given some good news today after Danny Tiatto confirmed he is set for a return to training after a recent groin problem.