Hughes dismisses Tevez talk

Mark Hughes has confirmed Manchester City have made several offers for players, but would not be drawn on reports he is interested in unsettled Old Trafford frontman Carlos Tevez. The Argentinean's future at rivals Manchester United is uncertain as his two-year loan deal edges towards its conclusion.

There have been conflicting reports regarding a permanent deal for Tevez at Old Trafford and he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Anyone who wishes to secure the services of Tevez, including United, must fork out €34million and City are one of the few clubs in a position to do so. But Hughes today brushed off rumours he is readying a bid for the 24-year-old.

"We have been linked with nearly everybody, I think, and Carlos Tevez is one that hasn't been, so now that he has we will have the full set," Hughes told the Manchester Evening News. "I don't talk about players at other clubs; there are those who are quite prepared to do that for us.

"We are trying to get players in that will help us, we are looking at targets that are attainable and realistic, and that has always been our stance."

Hughes has already signed Wayne Bridge from Chelsea since the January transfer window opened and is keen to bring in another five new faces.

The City boss confirmed he has been actively pursuing his targets and is trying to make offers he feels could tempt clubs into a sale.

He added: "We have put bids on the table and some have been rejected at the level we have pitched them."

It has been reported that both Barcelona's Yaya Toure and Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz are both in City's sights but both clubs have today denied receiving any bids from the Eastlands outfit.

Hughes insists owner Sheikh Mansour, who was today confirmed as the richest man in British football, is doing his best to lure players to City.

"I am sure that this week we will be making more offers. What we are trying to do is make sure that when we do make those offers they are at a level that clubs will actually discuss. They are players that we want to attract, so there is no point going in at a level that you know is going to be dismissed out of hand."