Sun very near to land on Man. City, final price still not clear
( 2002-02-07 17:21 ) (7 )

Chinese soccer international Sun Jihai has been very near to sign his contract offered by England First Division club Manchester City, an unofficial soccer website of the club said yesterday.

Chinese soccer international Sun Jihai has been very near to sign his contract offered by England First Division club Manchester City, an unofficial soccer website of the club said Wednesday.

According to the website, both Sun and the Chinese club he now plays for have agreed the 1.4 million bid Man. City offered.

"City have reportedly a ￡1.4million bid for Chinese international Sun Jihai was accepted. After a previous bid was turned down, Chinese side Dalian Shide has accepted the latest bid", the website said.

Meanwhile, China's most popular newswebsite www.Sina.com.cn reports today, "manager of Man.City Kevin Keegan has agreed to pay for the ￡2 million transfer fee, which Dalian Shide insisted against Man. City's first offer of ￡1.5 milllion."

" The real reason we release Sun is that we were assured by broker of the transferation, Man.City has put the money of ￡2 million on the table." Sina quotes Vice Chairman of Dalian Shide as saying

With the final price still in controversy, both sides indicated the contract may be signed within this week.

Manager of the club, French man Keegan showed his confidence over Sun, who ever played for First Division club Crystal Palace, telling official website of City, "We know he is good enough to play for us if we are in the Premiership, but we want him to come and have a look at us"

""He is a brilliant player. He is not famous for the time being, though, he would become world-known should he have the proper chances," Said Geegan.

Man. City ranks first in England's First Division and is almost sure to play the next season of England Premiership