Two Transfer News from Manchester City

NEWS 1 : Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Wayne Bridge from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. The England full-back travelled to Manchester on Friday night to undergo a medical and discuss the personal terms of a three-year contract believed to be worth around £80,000 a week.

Bridge, 28, who emerged in the professional game at Southampton when Hughes was coming to the end of his playing career, had been reluctant to leave Stamford Bridge despite failing to hold down a regular place in the team. Since joining Chelsea in 2003 for £7 million, the defender had been restricted to just 74 League appearances. It had not helped his cause having to compete against international colleague Ashley Cole for the same position at club level, a problem he will not have to face at Eastlands.

The capture of Bridge will be seen as the first significant move by Hughes towards him strengthening his squad. In the meantime, Hughes admits securing Bridge will be a major boost and he is convinced that the player can quickly rediscover his best form on a more consistent basis, not to mention regain his place in the England squad under Fabio Capello.

Hughes said:"He's still a successful player. He's an England international at one of the top four clubs in the country. I played alongside him at Southampton and know first hand what an outstanding player he is.He's had a relative success, but you come to a point in your career where you want to be playing week in and week out."

NEWS 2 : Manchester City are reported to have made an £8 million bid for Arsenal defender Kolo Toure as they continue their January spending. City agreed a fee with Chelsea for left back Wayne Bridge on Friday, and it seems they are eager to continue bolstering their back line with the services of 27-year-old Toure.

According to the Mirror, Hughes is anxious to complete the signing by the end of the weekend, anticipating a quick deal in light of speculation that the Ivory Coast international has become unsettled at the Emirates. Toure has fallen down the pecking order following a series of injuries and a loss of form, and is no longer a regular in the starting line up. The promise of first-team football on offer at the Eastlands could be reason enough to persuade Toure to head north.

Arsene Wenger however, has denied any suggestion that a deal will be done, insisting that despite past incidents, Toure will remain an Arsenal player.

"We spoke about it with him and I think he has changed his mind," he said. "The situation is that he is a player who has a two-and-a-half-year contract and will remain with us."