Manchester City eye more signings

Hong Kong: Manchester City football manager Manuel Pellegrini hinted that he could sign more players before the opening of the Premier League season.

City have spent £83 million on new players over the summer, which makes them the biggest spender in the Premier League, reports Xinhua.

“The club has spent money on important players like Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo. But you must remember that last year the club had Balotelli and Tevez. So we had to replace two very good players with another two very good players,” said Pellegrini on Friday.

“Now we have the whole month of July and some days of August to complete the squad. I think it is not absolutely complete but very nearly,” added the Italian, who replaced sacked Roberto Mancini last month.

City, who finished second behind Manchester United last season, were linked with a move for Real Madrid defender Pepe.

“I don’t speak about rumours. Today we have the players that we need here. As I just said, we will see what happens this month and during August. But I’m not talking specific names because it’s not the best thing for us. So I’m not talking about Pepe or any name.”

City were due to play Sunderland Saturday night for the 2013 Barclays Asia Trophy at Hong Kong Stadium.

Meanwhile, Italian football club AS Roma announced that they have signed a two-year contract with Brazilian defender Douglas Maicon.

Roma released a statement Friday which read: “Roma have underwritten a contract with player Maicon Douglas Sisenando, for next two years, with expiry set for June 30, 2015”, reports Xinhua.

“The player comes from Manchester City FC, with whom he terminated his contract by mutual consent,” it added.

Former Inter Milan star Maicon made only 11 appearances in the English Premier League last season due to a series of knee injuries.