Mbia sparks tug of war

CITY and United are on collision course in a mega-bucks battle for fast rising Cameroon star Stephane Mbia.

The 21-year-old Rennes defensive midfielder, who can also play at right back, is attracting interest across Europe.

But the player, whose value could reach £10m, says that both Manchester clubs have already been in contact.

Mbia has two years left on his contract at the French club but will consider his future at the Stade de la Route de Lorient at the end of the season.

"I'll think at the end of the year if the big offers I'm receiving are still up to date," he said.

"I've had contact from teams in England and Italy. There are contacts with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and in Spain there is Barcelona as well.

"For the moment I'm not thinking of it and I will stay with Rennes. I'll rely on people like general manager Pierre Dreossi, who knows me and my parents very well. Then it'll be me who takes a decision."

Mbia would fit the bill for City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as he mulls over business in the summer.

Eriksson has handed owner Thaksin Shinawatra a list of targets to boost the Blues squad.

He already has Dinamo Zagreb's Luka Modric and Real Zaragoza's skipper Diego Milito, plus Liverpool striker Peter Crouch on his radar.


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