Hughes Already Planning For Kaka

• Guardian , Friday, January 16, 2009 1:45 PM

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is so confident that his team will sign Brazilian playmaker Kaka from AC Milan that he has already worked out a 4-1-4-1 formation incorporating all the team's expected signings during this month's transfer window, report Daniel Taylor and Graham Chase.

Hughes and his staff "have devised an adventurous system that would see Kaka partner Stephen Ireland in the center of midfield with Robinho on the left, Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right and, if everything goes according to plan, Roque Santa Cruz in attack." Santa Cruz has yet to be signed for an expected $27 million from Blackburn Rovers.

Hughes's assistant, Mark Bowen, described the signing of Kaka for an estimated $133 million as "very close." Milan's vice president Adriano Galliani confirmed late Thursday the club was "evaluating" an offer for Kaka, and gave the midfielder permission to speak to City and its Abu Dhabi United ownership group. His wages are expected to be in the range of $20 million a year.

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