Man City’s shock move for Hargreaves

Owen Hargreaves has been popular with the big clubs despite suffering with injury problems [GALLO/GETTY]

Manchester City players are welcoming the prospect of former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves joining them, despite failing to complete a match in three injury-plagued years.

Free agent Hargreaves is expected to move to big spending City on Wednesday.

Surgery on both knees restricted the 30-year-old Hargreaves to just five appearances in three seasons before being released by United at the end of last season.

The former England international was unable to find a club before the season started but is now poised to make a surprise move to City, who share the league lead with his old club after buying top talent including Argentina striker Sergio Aguero.

Hargreaves was pictured attending a City medical examination on Tuesday and, although the club is refusing to make any public comment, his potential teammates have been talking.

“Owen is an experienced player, he has played in the Champions League, is an international. It is only going to be good for the City squad if he signs,” defender Joleon Lescott said while on England duty.

“People ask if it represents a gamble but the club know what they are doing, Owen knows what he is doing. He is still a good player.

“People ask if it represents a gamble but the club know what they are doing, Owen knows what he is doing. He is still a good player” Man City’s Joleon Lescott

“He hasn’t played as much as he would have liked over the last couple of seasons but the medical team we have is very good and very strong. If we can get him fit, I’m sure it won’t be very long before he is back to his best.

“He will be a player with a point to prove after his injuries.”

City goalkeeper Joe Hart first heard about Hargreaves’ potential move to his club from journalists at the England team hotel ahead of 2012 European Championship qualifiers.

“Pardon. Is he? Wowzers. Where’s that come from?” he said.

“I don’t know what to make of that. That’s been put on my toes. Great, great.”

Over the summer, the Canadian-born Hargreaves, who has played 42 times for England, resorted to posting videos on YouTube showing himself working in a gym and running to prove his fitness.

While the transfer window closes Wednesday at 2200 GMT, there is no rush for City to complete Hargreaves’ signing as he is a free agent.

Clubs must submit their 25-man squad lists to the Premier League by Friday, but if City leaves a spare spot, Hargreaves can join any time.

Parking up at Spurs

Scott Parker handed in a transfer request at second-tier club West Ham on Tuesday as he looks to complete a move back to the Premier League with Tottenham.

“I hope the fans will understand and respect my decision,” the 30-year-old England midfielder said on West Ham’s website.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said he does not “envisage too many problems now” with a deal being done.

“It should be a deal that gets completed – we’ll just keep our fingers crossed that it does,” Redknapp said.

“He’s a good player. I think he’s what we need. He’s a good lad, great attitude.”

Despite West Ham being relegated from the Premier League in May, Parker was named Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.

“The manager and board have tried hard to convince me to stay but at this stage in my career, I need to be playing in the Premier League, especially now that I am involved with England,” Parker said.

West Ham’s Scott Parker was awarded Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year last seaon [GETTY]

“I hope the fans will understand and respect my decision and I wish the club every success in their fight for promotion this season.”

While Parker should be a great signing for Spurs, fans will also be boosted by hanging on to Luka Modric after Chelsea tried to pry to player away from White Hart Lane.

North London rivals Arsenal have also been busy securing a couple of late signings before the transfer window closes.

After suffering an 8-2 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, Arsene Wenger has been forced to make some changes to his squad. 

Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs has confirmed the transfer of Germany defender Per Mertesacker to Arsenal.

Allofs told the local Weser-Kurier newspaper Tuesday that “everything is arranged between Werder and Arsenal.”

An official announcement is expected on Wednesday, following completion of some final details between the clubs.

Arsenal have already bolstered their attack by signing South Korea striker Chu Young Park.