Manchester City audaciously tried to land Kaka this time last year but they had to be content with the signing of Adam Johnson, the England Under 21 left winger from Middlesbrough, as the transfer window closed last night. City have reportedly paid between £5million (Dh29.1m) and £7million for the 22-year-old who would have been available on a free transfer in the summer.
"We are delighted that Adam has chosen to come here," said Roberto Mancini, the City manager. "He is a very good player with fantastic potential, and as a club we are always keen to sign British talent." McDonald Mariga, the Kenyan, will not be joining him at Eastlands after the Parma defensive midfielder failed to get a work permit because of his country's world ranking. Meanwhile, Robbie Keane was on the verge of joining Celtic on loan from Tottenham last night. "It's a good move," said Harry Redknapp, the Spurs manager. "Robbie needs to play. He's too good a player not to be starting here regularly."
Wigan boosted their goal-scoring options by signing Marcelo Moreno, the Bolivia striker, on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk until the end of the season, subject to visa and international clearance, and Victor Moses from Crystal Palace for £2.5m. West Ham signed Benni McCarthy, from Blackburn Rovers, and Ilan, the Brazilian, who has been released by St Etienne. Burnley re-signed striker David Nugent on loan until the end of the season from Portsmouth while Sunderland have taken Tottenham's Alan Hutton on loan until the summer.
Roy Hodgson sought to end Fulham's five-match losing streak by signing Stefano Okaka, the Italy U21 international, on a six-month loan deal from Roma and Nicky Shorey, the left-back, on loan from Aston Villa. @Email:sports@thenational.ae
