Pearce coy on Gravesen - 17 Mar 2006
Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has refused to rule out a move for Real Madrid's Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen.
Reports in Spain and Denmark have linked City with a move for Gravesen, despite the player and his agent claiming to have no contact from the Eastlands club.
Despite refusing to reveal his targets, Pearce hinted at his interest in the former Everton player.
"As I've said before, I wouldn't give any indication of any player that I'm looking to sign because it just tips your neighbours off," Pearce told a City press conference.
"But if you're asking me 'Can Thomas Gravesen play football?' I would say 'Yes, he can'."
The former England man stated his hope at securing the services of his summer targets as soon as the current season comes to an end.
"I need to make sure that we're prepared and that the transfer targets are prepared for next year," he added. "Hopefully, between now and the summer and in an ideal world, I'd like to get all my targets in the week after the season ends and as soon as the (transfer) window opens."
One player that may earn a permanent switch to City is on-loan Spanish midfielder Albert Riera.
The 23-year-old has impressed since joining on loan from Espanyol in the January transfer window.
Despite having settled in well to a move to The Premiership, Pearce insisted that a decision on the former Mallorca and Bordeaux player's future would not be made until the season's end.
"We've got a contract with Espanyol and we'll talk about Albert at the end of the season," Pearce said. "I don't deem it necessary to do so before.
"I think he's quite happy here and settled in very well. He takes English lessons three, four times a week, so I think he's desperate to be here and be amongst us.
"As I say, we'll talk with his club at the end of the season."
Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has refused to rule out a move for Real Madrid's Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen.
Reports in Spain and Denmark have linked City with a move for Gravesen, despite the player and his agent claiming to have no contact from the Eastlands club.
Despite refusing to reveal his targets, Pearce hinted at his interest in the former Everton player.
"As I've said before, I wouldn't give any indication of any player that I'm looking to sign because it just tips your neighbours off," Pearce told a City press conference.
"But if you're asking me 'Can Thomas Gravesen play football?' I would say 'Yes, he can'."
The former England man stated his hope at securing the services of his summer targets as soon as the current season comes to an end.
"I need to make sure that we're prepared and that the transfer targets are prepared for next year," he added. "Hopefully, between now and the summer and in an ideal world, I'd like to get all my targets in the week after the season ends and as soon as the (transfer) window opens."
One player that may earn a permanent switch to City is on-loan Spanish midfielder Albert Riera.
The 23-year-old has impressed since joining on loan from Espanyol in the January transfer window.
Despite having settled in well to a move to The Premiership, Pearce insisted that a decision on the former Mallorca and Bordeaux player's future would not be made until the season's end.
"We've got a contract with Espanyol and we'll talk about Albert at the end of the season," Pearce said. "I don't deem it necessary to do so before.
"I think he's quite happy here and settled in very well. He takes English lessons three, four times a week, so I think he's desperate to be here and be amongst us.
"As I say, we'll talk with his club at the end of the season."
