Keegan resigned to bargain buys

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan is anxious to strengthen his squad but admits he has no money to spend.

Holland goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus looks set to sign up on a free transfer after leaving PSV Eindhoven.

Egyptian striker Mido has also been linked with a loan move to City from Marseille as Paulo Wanchope is poised for a £500,000 (€743,300) switch to Malaga.

But Keegan said: “I will be looking for new players but it is very difficult when you have no money. It is easy when you are at Chelsea and places like that and you can go to clubs and say ‘we like this player, what do you want?’.

“It is a different market we are looking in and we will continue to do that right up until the deadline.”

Keegan revealed that Wanchope was looking for a move to Spain. “I reluctantly let him go,” the City boss told the Manchester Evening News. “I say reluctantly because of the timing. With a week left to go to get someone in it is not ideal but I think it is the right decision for the club and the player.”

Former PSV Eindhoven star Waterreus was meeting City officials today on his 34th birthday, according to the player’s agent.

Waterreus, part of the nation’s Euro 2004 squad, will have a medical at the club.

He has been anxious to secure a move to England since leaving PSV in the summer.

Waterreus’ agent Kees Ploegsma told the Press Association: “Ronald will be arriving in Manchester today.

“I am confident negotiations can be completed satisfactorily. He is looking forward to life in the Premiership.”

Waterreus is likely to be offered a six-month contract and City manager Kevin Keegan confirmed on the club’s official website, www.mcfc.co.uk, that a deal was very close to completion.