Hughes offers Bellamy a home after Mancini shows him the door
Published:Craig Bellamy’s Manchester City career is all but over after manager Roberto Mancini confirmed that the Welsh forward will not be a part of the club’s 25-man Premier League squad.
“I have to choose 25. The rest must find another team. Craig is out of the list,” said Mancini.
Fulham, who are 11/5 to win their Premier League opener against Bolton on Saturday, are one of the clubs to express their interest in signing Bellamy.
The Cottagers’ new manager Mark Hughes, who has worked with Bellamy at Blackburn, Manchester City and Wales, has identified the 31-year-old as a primary transfer target at Craven Cottage.
“Yes, I’d be interested in signing Craig,” said Hughes. “He’s one of the top players in the Premier League.”
Hughes wants to make Fulham regulars in the Premier League’s top ten, and securing a player of Bellamy’s quality would be a bold step in the right direction. Fulham are 7/4 to finish in the top ten this season.
Celtic have also confirmed their interest in signing Bellamy, while Tottenham, Sunderland and Cardiff have all been linked with a move for the Wales international.
Somewhat surprisingly, Robinho has been included in Mancini’s 25-man party for the Premier League season.
The Brazilian forward has been widely-tipped to leave Eastlands this summer, but none of his potential buyers have been able to match City’s asking price, thought to be over £20m.
“He came back yesterday, he is very tired but he is on the list,” Mancini said after the 26-year-old returned from international duty with Brazil.
Will Mancini regret leaving Bellamy out? Manchester City are 7/1 to win the Premier League title this season. See the full Barclays Premier League Betting Odds market.
