Van Buyten deal waiting on Sommeil

Manchester City today remain on the verge of completing the loan signing of Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten.

The 26-year-old has passed his medical and agreed personal terms after flying in from Marseille last night.

The only part of the deal yet to be completed is for David Sommeil – who has passed his own medical – to agree his personal terms.

In an effort to ensure the deal goes through before the transfer window closes on Monday, City have contacted the French Football Federation who are in the process of completing all the necessary documentation.

Van Buyten, a one-time target of Manchester United who cost Marseille £7.7million when he signed from Standard Liege in 2001, will not feature in tomorrow’s Barclaycard Premiership match against Manchester City at Highbury.

But Blues boss Kevin Keegan believes the burly six-footer can bring the stability to his defence which has been badly lacking as they have tumbled down the table.

“In our present situation, with the way we are playing and the goals we are conceding, we needed a fresh face in there,” said Keegan.

“This was one of the few ways in which an opportunity came up to do it.

“The transfer market is very quiet. I haven’t got any money to spend, so we tried to do a deal that is sensible for the club and gives us some benefits on the playing field.”