Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, has confirmed the club are close to signing Jerome Boateng, the Germany defender, in an £11 million (Dh59.5m) deal. City have been keen on luring the 21-year-old - who has been picked in Germany's World Cup squad - to Eastlands from Hamburg and now the English and German league seasons are over, the transfer could be concluded this week. "We are quite close to signing him," Mancini told the Manchester Evening News. "Boateng is a good player, a young player and strong.
"He plays for the national team and there is a good chance to get him. He can play three different positions; central defence, right full-back or in midfield. If we find a player like that it is better for us." Mancini has vowed to bring in some fresh faces during the summer, although the Italian admitted his job will be made more difficult by the failure to secure a Champions League berth. Everton are close to agreeing a new long-term contract with Tim Cahill, their inspirational goalscoring midfielder.
The Australia international, 30, has two years remaining on his present deal but David Moyes, the Everton manager, is keen to secure an extension. Everton, who finished eighth in the Premier League after their 11-game unbeaten run to end the season, are confident of concluding a deal with Cahill before next month's World Cup. Robert Elstone, the club's chief executive, said: "We are at an advanced stage of negotiation with Tim and his representatives.
"We would be hopeful of concluding an extension to Tim's current deal and to put pen to paper on a new four-year contract before he departs for the World Cup." Cahill has scored 56 goals in 209 appearances for the Toffees since moving from Millwall in 2004. Moyes has made agreeing new contracts with key players one of his priorities this summer. The club are also in discussions with midfielders Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell over improved terms.
* Agencies
