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City plan mass clear-out to fund Dzeko transfer

Emmanuel Adebayor earns a reported £170,000 a week © PA Photos

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Manchester City have alerted football's top agents that they are willing to write off close to £100 million worth of players in the January transfer window.

Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Jo have been earmarked either to be sold off at cut-rate prices or loaned out with the club willing to pay 50% of the players' wages.

In addition, Shay Given and Adam Johnson have expressed their frustration having lost their places in the side. City want to make room for new signings, with Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko - rated at £33 million - top of their wanted list.

A leading agent told ESPNsoccernet: "It is now common knowledge that Manchester City want to offload a number of players."

Another added: "Players are queuing up to leave, but it won't be easy to shift them as they are on such high wages."

City allowed Craig Bellamy to join Cardiff City on loan this season, effectively paying most of his salary, but the situation for the aforementioned players could be more complex. ESPNsoccernet has been informed that Adebayor is on £170,000 a week, with Bridge earning £90,000, Lescott £75,000, Santa Cruz and Jo both on £70,000 and Wright-Phillips on £65,000.

An agent said: "The best one can hope for is for the wages to be paid 50-50 with City paying half, but at the end of the loan comes the problem. If any players are then sold off at the end of the season and the clubs cannot afford to match, or get anywhere near, the wages, then City will have to pay those players millions just to get them off their books, and to make up the shortfall for the player."

City have confirmed that they do not intend to continue spending big money on players, with UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules threatening their right to compete in Europe when fully introduced, but a move for 24-year-old Dzeko still appears likely in the January window if they can offload two existing strikers.

The agent said: "There is a €40 million release clause in the player's contract, and while City wouldn't pay it before, they might do now."

Dzeko's representatives are believed to have attended City's 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Eastlands.

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