With less than four days to go until the Transfer window slams shut, Steve Bruce is still eying another midfielder to replace the departed Wilson Palacios but with strong rumours that Antonio Valencia is on his way to Real Madrid, more midfield talent could be brought in to bolster the clubs push for a UEFA Europa League place.
A reported target has been Joe Ledley from Cardiff City with speculation that the club has offered the Welsh side £4m with Jason Koumas included as part of the deal but this has been rejected by City boss Dave Jones who is looking for around £6m.
It is believed that Koumas' wages are the stumbling block to allow a player swap between clubs which leaves the deal up in the air as to whether Bruce will break the clubs record transfer fee to bring in the highly rated Welsh midfielder.
Another midfielder who has been linked with a move to the JJB Stadium is Newcastle United's French winger Charles N'Zogbia for another club record fee of £6m being stated as a bid which Steve Bruce has lodged with Newcastle.
This deal may be pure speculation with Lyon and Aston Villa also in the hunt for the Frenchman. A deal which could go through before the weekend is to bring in Eliseu Pereira dos Santos from Spanish side Malaga. The winger is capable of playing on either wing and has electric pace which is probably one of the key reasons why Steve Bruce wants him at the JJB is the rumours are true.
If Antonio Valencia leaves to go to Madrid, Javier Saviola is still being linked with a move in the opposite direction. The Argentinean is out of favour in Madrid and is looking for a way out with a host of Premier League clubs interested.
Manchester United, however, remain interested in Valencia and are preparing to offer him Champions League football next season without having to uproot all the way back to Spain which could prove to be more appealing to the Ecuadorian. United do not want to splash out in January and are willing to wait until the summer to make their move.
Before the deadline on Monday, we could well see the arrival of at least one replacement for Valencia if he does go, with the possibility of a second midfielder joining before the 17:00 deadline. Steve Bruce is still in the market to bring in someone else but it is just a case of who and when.
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