Bridge poised for City switch

Wayne Bridge is today set to become Mark Hughes’ first signing of what is expected to be a busy transfer window for Manchester City.

The England left-back was given permission to speak to City yesterday after Chelsea accepted a fee reported to be in the region of £12m.

Bridge is believed to have travelled to Manchester last night to discuss personal terms with the Eastlands outfit and could complete his move today subject to a medical.

City’s takeover by the wealthy Abu Dhabi United Group in September has put them in the enviable position of being able to spend big this month, unlike the majority of their Barclays Premier League counterparts, who have been left reeling from the effects of the global economic downturn.

City have been linked with several players including West Ham striker Craig Bellamy, Arsenal’s Kolo Toure and Blackburn front man Roque Santa Cruz as they look to climb away from the relegation zone.

Despite an unconvincing first half of the season, City’s new owners have promised to back Hughes in the transfer market and the former Manchester United man confirmed a deal for Bridge was close yesterday.

He 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.”

Hughes, who, according to reports, has a transfer kitty of £60m to spend in the window, crossed paths with Bridge while the former was in the twilight of his time at Southampton, where the full-back had just signed his first professional contract.

Bridge was 18 at the time and went on to establish himself as a first-team regular before making a £7m move to Stamford Bridge in 2003.

Meanwhile, Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz claims City are set to bid for him but denied any official offer had been made yet.

The Paraguayan forward commented to 970 radio station that negotiations had not started but said he expected to join City in the current transfer window.